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Ukraine's Allies Criticize US Peace Plan as G20 Statement Highlights Border Concerns
Leaders from 11 nations and two top EU officials issued a joint statement at the G20 summit in South Africa on Saturday, calling a US-proposed peace plan for Ukraine "a basis which will require additional work" while raising concerns over territorial concessions and military restrictions on Kyiv. The statement underscores divisions as US President Donald Trump presses Ukraine to accept the 28-point draft by 27 November or risk losing critical support.
Key Objections in Joint Statement
The signatories-including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the UK-acknowledged the plan contains "important elements" for a lasting settlement but stressed that "borders must not be changed by force." They also warned that proposed limits on Ukraine's armed forces could leave the country vulnerable to future aggression, according to the statement released during the summit.
Another point of contention involves clauses tied to NATO and the EU, which the allies said would require consent from their respective members before implementation. The statement did not specify which elements triggered this demand, but leaked details suggest the draft includes provisions affecting Ukraine's potential NATO membership and EU integration.
Leaked Plan Favors Russian Control of Disputed Regions
According to widely circulated details of the US proposal, Ukraine would withdraw troops from parts of the Donetsk region currently under its control, effectively ceding the area-along with Luhansk, Crimea (annexed in 2014), and portions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia-to de facto Russian administration. The draft also freezes current battle lines in the south, where Russian forces have made incremental gains despite reported heavy casualties.
Military restrictions in the plan cap Ukraine's forces at 600,000 personnel, with European fighter jets relocated to Poland. In exchange, Kyiv would receive unspecified "reliable security guarantees," though the document does not clarify their scope. The draft further proposes lifting sanctions on Russia and reinstating its G7 membership, reviving the pre-2014 "G8" format.
"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential."
Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing reporters on Friday
Zelensky Warns of 'Difficult Choice' as Deadline Looms
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky framed the moment as "one of the most difficult in our history," telling the nation in a Friday address that Kyiv faces a stark dilemma: "losing dignity or risk losing a key partner." He vowed to engage "constructively" with Washington but appointed head of office Andriy Yermak to lead negotiations, signaling cautious resistance to the US terms.
Ukraine's reliance on US weaponry-including air defense systems to counter Russian airstrikes-and Washington's intelligence support heightens the stakes. Zelensky's warning followed Trump's remark that Kyiv "will have to like" the proposal, implying continued fighting as the alternative.
Kremlin Signals Flexibility but Prepares for Prolonged Conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Moscow had received the US draft but claimed it had not been "discussed in detail" with the Kremlin. While expressing willingness to "show flexibility," Putin reiterated Russia's readiness to "fight on" if negotiations stall. His comments came as Russian forces continue a slow advance in southeastern Ukraine, nearly three years after the February 2022 full-scale invasion.
Next Steps
The G20 statement did not outline a timeline for further discussions, but the 27 November deadline set by Trump looms over Kyiv's deliberations. Zelensky's team is expected to submit a formal response to Washington in the coming days, with Yermak's negotiation role suggesting a focus on mitigating the plan's most contentious elements-particularly territorial concessions and military constraints.
