Europe, Ukraine offer new peace plan ahead of US-Russia summit: WSJ
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European states and Ukraine have proposed a ceasefire-first plan with mutual land swaps and NATO guarantees.
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Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's President Emmanuel Macron, right, attend a plenary meeting at the beginning of a summit where the leaders of 47 European countries and organizations will discuss security, defense and democratic standards, in Tirana, Albania, Friday, May 16, 2025 (Leon Neal/Pool via AP)
The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that the UK, France, and Germany, together with Ukraine, have advanced a new proposal for ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, presenting it during a UK visit by a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance.
According to two unnamed European officials cited by the newspaper, the initiative outlines that a ceasefire must precede any other developments and that land swaps must be mutual. It further notes that any territorial concessions on Ukraine's part must be compensated with security guarantees, including its potential membership in NATO.
Territorial Standoff
The proposal comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky repeats his refusal to compromise on territory, stating that "Ukraine would not cede any land or reward Russia for its aggression" and insisting that any settlement must involve Kiev directly.
These terms stand in contrast to Moscow's overture, offering a ceasefire in exchange for recognition of realities on the ground, including Russian sovereignty over territories now integrated into the Russian Federation. Russian officials have signaled that such an arrangement could pave the way for lasting stability, security guarantees for Ukraine, and an end to the bloodshed.
However, Western governments and Kiev continue to reject recognition of these territories, with US lawmakers even proposing legislation to ban it permanently, moves Moscow views as undermining the possibility of a durable peace.
Read more: Witkoff misread Putin's ceasefire terms on troop withdrawal: Bild
The August 15 summit in Alaska between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will test whether Washington is prepared to move beyond red lines and accept a settlement that reflects the new balance of power.
