On the eve of the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, Europe and Ukraine presented a joint peace plan to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. This plan serves as an alternative to Russian proposals and categorically rejects Moscow's demands for unilateral territorial concessions from Kyiv.
According to information published by the Wall Street Journal, the new peace plan was developed by the UK, Germany, and France in close cooperation with the Ukrainian government. It includes clearly defined "red lines" for all future negotiations with the Russian Federation, thus outlining the boundaries of acceptable compromises.
One of the key elements of the plan envisions a possible scenario where Ukraine could withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region in exchange for the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied territories in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. This approach aims to balance the interests of both sides and create prerequisites for further negotiations.
The reaction of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the proposed plan was categorical. In an official statement, he said: "Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier... Any decisions against Ukraine or without Ukraine's participation are dead decisions". This position underscores Kyiv's determination to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
European leaders involved in developing the plan emphasized that Ukraine's future cannot be decided without the country's active participation. They also confirmed that support for Kyiv will continue, regardless of Washington's position on the issue. This message is particularly important in the context of the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin, which raises concerns about possible unilateral decisions by the US.
The presentation of this joint European-Ukrainian peace plan is seen as a strategic move aimed at influencing the agenda of the Alaska meeting and preventing potential agreements that could be detrimental to Ukraine's interests. At the same time, it demonstrates the unity between European countries and Ukraine in their approach to resolving the conflict.
International relations experts note that this plan could serve as a starting point for future negotiations but emphasize that achieving a lasting peace agreement will require significant efforts and compromises from all parties. The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the direction in which diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine will develop.