The erratic US President Donald Trump has given Kyiv until Thursday to accept a 28-point plan – despite European leaders, including Keir Starmer, voicing concerns
Donald Trump has attacked Ukraine’s leadership in a rant on social media for showing “zero gratitude” to the US over a controversial peace plan.
The erratic US President had given Kyiv until Thursday to accept a 28-point plan – despite European leaders, including Keir Starmer, voicing concerns. It involves concessions to Vladimir Putin’s Russia, including cutting Ukraine’s armed forces and abandoning plans to join Nato membership.
On Sunday talks between Ukraine, the US and European countries were being held in Geneva on Sunday over the proposed peace plan. The UK’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell is attending the talks.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday his team had reported back from initial meetings and conversations. In a post on X, he said: “There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraine’s national interests.”
But in a rant on his own social media post, the US President said: “Ukraine ‘leadership’ has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts, and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia.” Over the weekend he also claimed the peace plan was “not my final offer” after a backlash.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned on Sunday borders “cannot be changed by force” and said there could be no limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces. She said it “would leave the country vulnerable to future attack and thereby also undermining European security”.
She added: “Ukraine must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny. They have chosen a European destiny.” Mr Starmer and other leaders pushed back against the US-drafted plan, saying in a joint statement on Saturday it includes “important elements for a just and last peace”.
But they added: “We believe therefore that the draft will require additional work… borders must not be changed by force. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.
“We reiterate that the implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to Nato would need the consent of EU and Nato.”
Cabinet minister Heidi Alexander insisted on Sunday the future of Ukraine has to be determined by Ukranians themselves. And she said the proposed peace plan “does require some additional work”. The Transport Secretary insisted the UK’s voice “does count” with Washington, adding: “Our relationship with the US is one of seeking to influence to facilitate that dialogue with other global leaders.”