Donald Trump’s latest comments on Ukraine have sparked a wave of concern across Europe. After hinting that Ukraine may have to swallow terms it has long rejected, his newly drafted 28-point peace plan is facing significant resistance from democratic allies.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined 12 other European and international leaders in signaling that the proposal, while containing some useful starting points, still needs major revision before it can be taken seriously. In a joint statement, they welcomed U.S. efforts toward peace but stressed that no agreement should leave Ukraine defenseless or reward Russian aggression.
Their main worry centers on one controversial element: Trump’s plan would place strict limits on Ukraine’s military. Leaders warned that such restrictions would “leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack” and could undermine long-term stability in the region. They also reaffirmed a fundamental democratic principle—borders cannot be changed by force.
The statement also emphasized that any aspects involving the EU or NATO must be approved by their member states, not imposed externally. This reflects a broader concern that the plan appears far more favorable to Moscow than to Kyiv.
Trump has reportedly pressured Ukraine to accept the proposal by a set deadline, a move that President Volodymyr Zelensky says forces his country into an impossible choice: “losing its dignity or losing a key partner.”
According to leaks, the plan includes concessions Ukraine has repeatedly rejected—allowing Russia to keep much of the territory it currently occupies and even gaining land its forces do not control. It would also require Ukraine to abandon hopes of joining NATO and shrink its military capabilities.
For European leaders, these terms undermine both Ukrainian sovereignty and broader international security. Their message is clear: they want peace, but not one that rewards aggression or weakens a democratic nation’s right to defend itself.
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