Donald Trump hinted Ukraine will have to accept the terms of his new peace plan.
Donald Trump suggested Ukraine will have to accept his new peace plan (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer has sided with European leader as he issued a thinly-veiled criticism at Donald Trump‘s new 28-point peace plan for Ukraine. The British Prime Minister was among 13 European and international leaders to have called on Saturday the US-drafted peace plan for Ukraine “a basis which will require additional work”.
The group voiced concerns about a key point in the proposal, arguing the Eastern European country would be vulnerable to future aggression from Russia should its armed forces be limited. A joint statement, issued by the European Council, read: “We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine.
“The initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace. We believe therefore that the draft is a basis which will require additional work.
“We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that 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 members respectively.
“We take this opportunity to underline the strength of our continued support to Ukraine. We will continue to coordinate closely with Ukraine and the US over the coming days.”
Volodymyr Zelensky said his country is facing a difficult choice (Image: Getty)
The statement comes after the US President set a deadline for Ukraine to agree to the US-brokered plan. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky argued his country is facing a choice between “losing its dignity or losing a key partner” – the United States.
The leaked plan, backed by Vladimir Putin, reportedly includes points Ukraine had previously deemed unacceptable.
The peace terms would include handing over to Russia territory that Kremlin troops are not occupying, as well as Moscow holding onto much of the Ukrainian territory already under siege.
Ukraine would also need to abandon its dream to join NATO and reduce the size of its military.
