German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that the latest peace plan draft for Ukraine has been presented to US President Donald Trump, which includes proposals concerning territorial concessions Kyiv may be willing to make.
Merz emphasized that any territorial issues must ultimately be resolved by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the Ukrainian people. We made this clear to President Trump, he stated.
In recent weeks, European leaders have collaborated closely with Ukraine to craft a new iteration of a peace plan that reflects Kyiv's interests and concerns.
Trump's frustration over sovereignty issues regarding Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories has raised concerns among Kyiv's European allies. They worry that he might advocate for a Russian-led peace solution that Ukraine cannot accept after years of conflict.
It would be a mistake to force the Ukrainian president into a peace that his people will not accept after four years of suffering and death, Merz stressed during a joint press conference with NATO chief Mark Rutte.
In a recent phone conversation described as constructive, Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer conveyed the importance of accommodating European interests as well.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky has expressed a willingness to engage directly with Trump to address the critical points of a potential deal. However, Trump has indicated that all outstanding issues must be resolved before such discussions can commence.
One of the thorniest issues remains territorial disputes, with Moscow demanding that Ukraine withdraw from parts of Luhansk and Donetsk, regions it continues to hold. Zelensky has consistently rejected this notion on both legal and moral grounds.
Diplomatic engagements are ramping up, with Zelensky expected to engage further with his allies. Despite high-level discussions among US, European, and Ukrainian officials, Moscow has remained tight-lipped, further intensifying concerns about the peace process.
Moreover, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has dismissed any suggestions of foreign troops as security guarantees for Ukraine, asserting that Russia has presented its own collective security proposals instead.
The situation remains dire, with increasing calls for urgent NATO action to prevent further escalation. Rutte has cautioned that complacency could lead to a conflict reminiscent of the two World Wars.
