European leaders have voiced concerns over a US plan to end the Ukraine war and say draft proposals are “a basis which will require additional work”.
In a joint statement issued at the G20 summit in South Africa, they said the plan “includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace”, but cited concerns over borders and limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces.
It comes a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Kyiv faced “one of the most difficult moments in our history” over pressure to accept the plan – leaked details of which have been seen as favourable to Moscow.
US President Donald Trump has given Ukraine until 27 November to accept the 28-point plan, while Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said it could be the “basis” for a settlement.
The joint statement was signed by the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany and Norway. Two top EU officials also signed it.
The statement said: “We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force.
“We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.”
It added: “The implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to Nato would need the consent of EU and Nato members respectively”.
