France has accused the United States of pressuring Ukraine into a new peace plan that would involve concessions to Russia and a significant reduction in its military capabilities. The 28-point proposal, negotiated secretly between American and Russian envoys, has sparked criticism from European leaders. The plan suggests Ukraine ceding control of the eastern Donbas region to Russia and cutting its armed forces by half, among other provisions.
The proposal has drawn backlash from Ukrainian officials, with President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejecting the idea of surrendering territory to Moscow. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer emphasized that negotiations must respect current borders and not be dictated by force. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the peace plan, stating that achieving lasting peace requires difficult compromises.
European diplomats have expressed concern over being excluded from the discussions, while Germany and Poland have emphasized the need for Russia to agree to a ceasefire without conditions. Despite similarities to demands made by Vladimir Putin during a previous summit, the Kremlin has insisted that no negotiations are currently ongoing. Western officials believe the plan reflects Putin’s stance but acknowledge the necessity of engaging all parties for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.