EU pushes to maintain key position in Ukraine peace talks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the “centrality” of the EU’s position should be “absolutely mirrored” in any peace plan for Ukraine, arguing that such a blueprint should “firstly cease the killing and finish the conflict”.

In an announcement, she confused that Ukraine should retain its freedom to decide on its future, saying it has opted for a European path, and added that any plan ought to cowl reconstruction, steps towards integration into the only market, and a path to eventual EU membership.

Europe is striving to not be sidelined within the negotiations surrounding the plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to finish the conflict in Ukraine.

The bloc participates in talks in Geneva with Ukrainian and US officers, with the EU represented by von der Leyen’s head of cupboard, Bjoern Seibert.

A leaked European peace plan for Ukraine, obtained by the Telegraph, units out a unique method from the Trump 28-point draft: it imposes no limits on Ukraine’s armed forces or defence business, no ban on future NATO membership, and no exterior restrictions on international troops or defence co-operation on Ukrainian soil. The framework postpones all territorial questions till after a full and unconditional ceasefire, with negotiations to begin from the present line of management. It additionally grants Ukraine safety ensures from its companions and explicitly reaffirms Ukrainian sovereignty.

Zelensky says US plan could embrace ‘Ukrainian views’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on Sunday the controversial US plan to finish the conflict with Russia could embrace “Ukrainian views”, as delegations had been holding talks in Geneva.

“Currently, there’s an understanding that the American proposals could embrace quite a few parts based mostly on Ukrainian views and demanding for Ukrainian nationwide pursuits,” he mentioned on social media.

After talking with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and briefing him on the most recent talks in Switzerland, Zelenskyy mentioned Kyiv can also be making ready a Coalition of the Willing dialogue early subsequent week – a format Ukraine values for protecting “a wider circle of companions” engaged and knowledgeable on the peace course of.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s high negotiator mentioned he met with French, German and British nationwide safety advisors.

“I held the primary assembly with the nationwide safety advisors of the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany,” Andriy Yermak mentioned, including: “The subsequent assembly shall be with the US delegation.”

Merz ‘sceptical’ a deal might be reached by Trump’s Thanksgiving deadline

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz mentioned he’s “sceptical” {that a} deal on Ukraine might be achieved by Trump’s Thursday deadline “given the present variations”, warning that “we’re very removed from that”.

Speaking on the margins of the G20 in Johannesburg, Merz famous “that doesn’t imply it’s utterly inconceivable to achieve…”, including that the main focus now ought to be on drafting a doc acceptable to Ukraine that may then function the idea for negotiations with Russia.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb instructed AFP that he and Italian chief Giorgia Meloni had spoken with US President Donald Trump on Sunday concerning the US plan to finish the Ukraine conflict.

“President Trump answered the cellphone at 5 o’clock (1000 GMT) within the morning on Sunday within the United States, which simply exhibits that he’s working across the clock to discover a peace settlement in Russia’s conflict of aggression in Ukraine,” Stubb mentioned on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa.