European diplomats have modified the US plan. They want more troops and territorial negotiations

The Europeans put forward a modified version of the US peace plan for Ukraine that rejects the proposed restrictions on Kiev's armed forces and territorial concessions. According to the source, the counter-proposal was drawn up by the so-called E3 European powers, namely Britain, France and Germany.

The document, prepared for negotiations on the plan in Geneva, proposes that Ukraine's army be limited to 800,000 "in peacetime" instead of the across-the-board limit of 600,000 proposed by the US plan.

It also states that "negotiations on territorial exchanges will start from the line of contact", instead of specifying in advance that certain areas should be recognised as "de facto Russian", as the US plan suggests.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded after Sunday's summit that the U.S. proposals may contain several elements based on Ukrainian perspectives and critical to Ukrainian national interests.

"Further work is going on to make sure that all the elements are really effective in achieving the main goal that our people expect: to finally put an end to the bloodshed and war," he added.

Rubio talks about progress

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday in a meeting with a Ukrainian delegation in Geneva that good progress has been made in negotiations on a draft US plan to end the war in Ukraine.

"I think the lesson from this is that this is a very, very meaningful, I would say, probably the best meeting and day that we've had so far in this whole process, since January when we first took office," he assessed to reporters.

His words were confirmed by Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office and head of the delegation. He also thanked the US President for the initiative. Subsequently, Zelensky did so as well, and expressed his gratitude to Europe, and to the G7 and G20 groupings.

US President Donald Trump said shortly before that Ukraine was not grateful for American efforts related to the war with Russia. This is despite the fact that their weapons continue to flow. He also criticised the European countries which, despite his urging them to stop taking Russian oil, have failed to do so.

What the US proposal is about

In recent days, Trump has unveiled a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine. He gave the Ukrainian president until next Thursday to adopt it. "The war has to end one way or another," he told reporters on Saturday.

The plan proposes an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine through a comprehensive agreement that would affirm Ukraine's sovereignty while recognizing some territorial changes. Ukraine would pledge not to join NATO and the alliance would not deploy troops in Ukraine. However, Ukraine would have the right to join the EU.

A fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine would also be set up, to which both the United States and the countries of the Union would contribute, and at the same time, a gradual reintegration of Russia into the global economy is envisaged.

Full text of the European peace proposal

1. Confirmation of Ukraine's sovereignty.

2. An agreement on full and total non-aggression between Russia, Ukraine and NATO. Resolution of all the ambiguities of the last 30 years.

(Point 3 of the US plan is deleted. A draft of this plan seen by Reuters stated: "Russia is not expected to invade its neighbors and NATO is not expected to expand further.")

4. After the peace agreement is signed, a dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO to address all security issues and create an environment to de-escalate tensions to ensure global security and increase connectivity and future economic opportunities.

5. Ukraine will receive strong security guarantees.

6. The number of Ukrainian troops will be limited to 800,000 in peacetime.

7. Ukraine's entry into NATO depends on a consensus among NATO members that does not exist.

8. NATO agrees not to permanently station troops under its command in Ukraine in peacetime.

9. NATO fighter jets will be stationed in Poland.

10. A U.S. guarantee that mirrors Article 5.
a. The U.S. will be compensated for this guarantee.
b. If Ukraine invades Russia, it loses the right to this guarantee.
c. If Russia invades Ukraine, in addition to a strong coordinated military response, all global sanctions will be reinstated and any recognition of new territory and all other benefits of this agreement will be revoked.

11. Ukraine qualifies for EU membership and will be granted short-term preferential access to the European market while this issue is under consideration.

12. a comprehensive package of measures for Ukraine's global recovery, including, inter alia:
a. The creation of a Ukraine Development Fund to invest in high-growth sectors, including technology, data centres and artificial intelligence.
b. The United States will work with Ukraine to jointly rehabilitate, develop, modernize, and operate Ukraine's gas infrastructure, which includes pipelines and storage facilities.
c. Joint efforts to rebuild war-affected areas to restore, reconstruct, and modernize cities and residential areas.
d. Infrastructure Development.
e. Extraction of mineral and natural resources.
f. The World Bank will develop a special financing package to provide funds to accelerate these efforts.

13. Russia will be gradually reintegrated into the global economy.
a. Sanctions relief will be discussed and negotiated gradually and on a case-by-case basis.
b. The United States will enter into a long-term economic cooperation agreement to achieve mutual development in energy, natural resources, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data centers, rare earths, joint projects in the Arctic, as well as a variety of other mutually beneficial business opportunities.
c. Russia will again be invited to the G8.

14. Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and financially compensated, including through Russian state assets, which will remain frozen until Russia compensates Ukraine for damages.

15. A Joint Security Task Force will be established with the participation of the U.S., Ukraine, Russia, and European countries to promote and enforce all provisions of this agreement.

16. Russia will legislate a policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine.

17. The United States and Russia agree to extend nuclear nonproliferation and arms control treaties, including the Fair Start Treaty.

18. Ukraine agrees to remain a nuclear-free state under the NPT.

19. The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant will be restarted under IAEA supervision, and the energy produced will be shared fairly on a 50:50 basis between Russia and Ukraine.

20. Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance and protection of linguistic minorities.

21. Territories

Ukraine commits not to regain its occupied sovereign territories by military means. Negotiations on the exchange of territories will start from the Line of Contact.

22. Having agreed on future territorial adjustments, both the Russian Federation and Ukraine undertake not to alter these adjustments by force. If this obligation is breached, no security guarantees shall apply.

Russia will not prevent Ukraine from using the Dnieper River for commercial purposes and agreements will be concluded on the free transport of grain across the Black Sea.

24 A humanitarian committee will be established to address outstanding issues:
a. All remaining prisoners and bodies will be exchanged on an "all for all" basis.
b. All civilian detainees and hostages will be returned, including children.
c. A family reunification program will be instituted.
d. Measures will be taken to address the suffering of the victims of the conflict.

25. Ukraine will hold elections as soon as possible after the signing of the peace agreement.

26. Measures will be taken to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the conflict.

27. This Agreement shall be legally binding. Its implementation will be monitored and guaranteed by a Peace Council chaired by President Donald J. Trump. Sanctions will be imposed for breaches of the agreement.

28. Once all parties have agreed to this memorandum, the ceasefire will take immediate effect once both sides have withdrawn to agreed locations so that implementation of the agreement can begin. The terms of the ceasefire, including monitoring, will be agreed to by both parties under U.S. supervision.

(reuters, max)