Trump clarifies Ukraine peace plan is not ‘final offer’ for Zelenskyy as Western allies raise concerns – Firstpost

US President Donald Trump clarified on Saturday that the controversial Russia-Ukraine peace plan is not his “final offer” to Kiev as Western allies raised concerns over key parameters of the proposal. Trump’s comments came shortly after Europe, Canada and Japan said the plan had elements “essential to a just and lasting peace” but “will require additional work.”

Ukrainian allies cited concerns over border changes and Ukraine’s military presence at the border. Security officials from Britain, France, Germany, the US and Ukraine are now expected to meet in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss the 28-point proposal. It is pertinent to note that Trump has given Ukraine time till November 27 to accept the 28-point plan, while Russian President Vladimir Putin said this could be the “basis” of the agreement.

Asked Saturday if the current draft was a final offer to Ukraine, Trump told reporters at the White House, “No, it is not my final offer.” “One way or another, we’ve got to get through it [the war] It’s over, so we’re working on it.” Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff are also expected to attend the talks in Geneva on Sunday.

Western leaders are worried about the future of Ukraine

Saturday’s joint statement on the Ukraine peace plan was signed by the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Britain, Germany and Norway at the G20 leaders’ summit in South Africa. Two top EU officials present at the international event were also among the signatories.

“Therefore, we believe the draft is a foundation on which additional work will need to be done. We stand ready to engage to ensure that peace is sustainable in the future. We are clear on the principle that borders should not be changed by force,” the statement said.

“We are also concerned by the proposed limits on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would make Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.” It added, “Implementation of the EU and NATO-related elements will require the consent of the EU and NATO members respectively.”

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone with Zelensky, followed by a conversation with Trump while he was at the G20 summit in South Africa, the BBC reported. Speaking to Trump, a Downing Street spokesman said Starmer reiterated discussions taking place between the willing coalition partners. [Ukraine’s allies] In attendance at the G20 summit today”.

“The leaders agreed that their teams will work together tomorrow in Geneva on a 28-point US peace proposal. They agreed to speak again tomorrow,” the spokesperson said.

controversial plan

The widely leaked US peace plan calls for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from the part of the eastern Donetsk region they currently control, and de facto Russian control over Donetsk, as well as the neighboring Luhansk region and the southern Crimea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. The plan also proposes to freeze the borders of Ukraine’s southern Kherson and Zaporizhia regions along the current battle lines. It is important to note that both areas are partially occupied by Russia.

The US draft would reportedly limit Ukraine’s military to 600,000 personnel, with European fighter jets stationed in neighboring Poland. The plan states that Kiev will receive “reliable security guarantees”, although no details are given. The document said it is “expected” that Russia will not invade its neighbors and that NATO will not expand further.

Trump’s clarification Saturday came a day after he said Zelensky “has to like” the US proposals, saying otherwise Ukraine and Russia would continue fighting. In light of this, Zelensky addressed the nation, warning that the country “may face a very difficult choice: either lose dignity, or risk losing a key ally”. “Today is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” Zelensky said, promising to work “constructively” with the Americans on the plan.