Ukraine's allies will seek to strengthen a US plan to end the war with Russia when they meet at the G20 summit in South Africa, UK PM Sir Keir Starmer has stated.
The summit begins a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Ukraine faced one of the most difficult moments in our history over pressures to accept the plan, leaked details of which are seen as favorable to Moscow.
Zelensky had discussions with Starmer and leaders from France and Germany on Friday, emphasizing that Ukraine's friends and partners are committed to achieving a lasting peace.
The absence of US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin from the G20 highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The widely leaked US peace plan includes proposals that Ukraine had previously dismissed, such as ceding control of eastern regions. Washington's push for acceptance has seen senior Pentagon officials visit Ukraine.
Concerns about potentially lopsided terms emerged, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas describing the unfolding situation as a very dangerous moment. She contended that Russia holds no claim to concessions from Ukraine, whose future must ultimately be determined by its own choices.
Ahead of the G20 talks, Starmer plans to discuss the US proposal and how to adjust it for the next phase of negotiations. He stated that Ukraine has persistently called for an end to Russia's illegal invasion and that international collaboration is needed for a just resolution.
The terms originating from the White House suggest that Ukraine may need to downsize its military and refrain from seeking NATO membership, aligning with long-standing demands from the Kremlin. Zelensky's administration is Warily evaluating this supplementation of the negotiation framework.
In a stark warning, Trump suggested that Ukraine might lose more territory to Russia if they did not agree to the proposed plan before a self-imposed deadline. Ukraine's military continues to depend on advanced weaponry and intelligence support from the U.S., fueling their resistance against the ongoing invasion since 2022.
The leaked draft outlines that Ukraine could be obligated to withdraw troops from controlled parts of Donetsk and accept Russian dominance over the eastern region, along with Crimea. The broader expectation includes Ukraine receiving security guarantees, although specific details remain ambiguous.
The draft further anticipates Russia's reintegration into the global economy, contingent on lifted sanctions and potentially rejoining global organizations like the G7, transforming it back to the G8.
