European military leaders have been thrown into a panic over a secret peace plan for Ukraine hatched by the US and Russia, alongside US proposals for giving up the leadership of Nato.
Under the 28-point plan allegedly agreed between the US and Russia, Ukraine would be forced to give up weapons and prime defensive territory in Donbas, and halve the size of its armed forces, effectively capitulating to Russia’s demands.
A leading British military figure has told The National that the proposal’s impact on European security “would be a disaster”.
“It would essentially set the conditions for Russia to come again at Ukraine without any Western European authority or ability to stop that,” said retired General Sir Richard Barrons. “So Ukraine just remains hostage to Russia.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin. EPA
Furthermore, the US-Russia proposals make no allowance for any peacekeeping force in a postwar Ukraine, undermining Europe’s “coalition of the willing” proposal to provide troops.
Brussels alarm
The alarm among European foreign ministers came as they assembled for a meeting in Brussels on Thursday. The EU’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said that “for any plan to work it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board”.
“Also, we have to understand that in this war there is one aggressor and one victim,” she added. “We haven’t heard of any concessions on the Russian side. I mean, if Russia really wanted peace it could have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire some time ago.” Asked if any Europeans had been part of drafting the US-Russia plan, she responded: “Not that I know of."
Her view was echo
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