European officials have dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands that Ukraine surrender territories annexed during the ongoing conflict, instead presenting their counter-proposal.
According to sources familiar with the talks speaking to the Wall Street Journal, the European plan insists on firm security guarantees for Kyiv, including NATO membership, before any territorial concessions are considered.
The proposal, developed jointly by the UK, France, Germany, and Ukraine, also calls for reciprocal land exchanges. If Ukraine agrees to relinquish certain regions, Russia must withdraw from others.
A cease-fire agreement would be a prerequisite to any further negotiations or territorial adjustments.
The framework was presented on Saturday in the UK to senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg, and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
It is intended to guide upcoming talks between Putin and former President Donald Trump, scheduled to take place in Alaska.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised the importance of involving Ukraine directly, writing on X: “The future of Ukraine cannot be decided without the Ukrainians who have been fighting for their freedom and security for over three years now.”
