European countries are strongly pushing back against a US-drafted framework to end the war in Ukraine, which reportedly demands that Kyiv make major territorial concessions and partially disarm—conditions the European Union views as tantamount to capitulation to Russia.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the US has signaled to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine must accept the framework, which includes ceding more land and placing curbs on the size of the Ukrainian armed forces. The proposals were reportedly drafted without the involvement of Kyiv or its main European allies.
- EU Stance: Meeting in Brussels, EU foreign ministers stressed that any durable peace must have Kyiv and Europe “on board.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that, to her knowledge, Europeans were not involved in preparing the proposal.
- Rejection of Concessions: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated, “Ukrainians want peace—a just peace that respects everyone’s sovereignty… But peace cannot be a capitulation.” Similarly, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski argued that Ukraine, as the victim, should not have restrictions imposed on its ability to defend itself.
- Political Context: This diplomatic acceleration comes at a challenging time for Kyiv, with its troops retreating at the front line and the government dealing with a corruption scandal that saw two cabinet ministers fired yesterday.
- US Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington is developing ideas based on input from both sides, saying peace requires “difficult but necessary concessions.”
- Kyiv Meeting: A high-level US Army delegation, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff Randy George, is in Kyiv and was expected to meet President Zelenskyy today, having met Ukraine’s top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, yesterday
