Ukraine and Europe Propose a Peace Proposal of Their Own
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The US peace plan for Ukraine has faced some pushback, with leading European states and Ukraine submitting a counter-proposal of their own this week. According to sources, the proposals from the US and the European alliance display significant differences.
In the documents reviewed by Reuters, it's clear that the US and European countries have contrasting views on territorial control, the easing of sanctions against Russia, security guarantees, and the size of the Ukrainian military in the event of a ceasefire.
These discussions took place during consultations between US, European, and Ukrainian representatives in Paris on April 17 and London on April 23. The US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, presented the US proposal in Paris. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as a broad framework to highlight the gaps. The second text, as per insiders, was created in London during consultations that included Ukrainian and European representatives, notably France, the UK, and Germany. Witkoff recently visited Moscow to discuss the peace efforts with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Recognizing Russian control over Ukrainian territory
The Witkoff paper suggests acknowledging Russian control over Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and accepting Russia's de facto control over territories in eastern and southern Ukraine that have been occupied since the 2022 war began. Contrary to this, the European proposal does not acknowledge any Russian control over Ukrainian territory, instead calling for negotiations on the issue once a ceasefire is established.
When it comes to Ukraine's long-term security, the US proposes a "robust security guarantee" from European and friendly states. Information on the specifics is not provided. It also states that Ukraine will no longer seek NATO membership, a demand that Russia has long insisted on.
The European and Ukrainian paper is more explicit on this issue. It calls for no restrictions on the Ukrainian military or foreign troop deployment on Ukrainian territory, a stance rejected by the Russian side. It also mentions a "robust security guarantee" for Ukraine from the US, similar to the commitment under Article 5 of the NATO treaty.
Lifting sanctions against Russia and war compensation
The Witkoff paper proposes lifting sanctions against Russia that were imposed since the annexation of Crimea. The European-Ukrainian proposal, on the other hand, suggests a gradual relief of sanctions once a stable peace is achieved, with the potential for reimposition if Russia breaches the peace. The European-Ukrainian document also proposes financial compensation for war damages from frozen Russian assets abroad for Ukraine. The Witkoff text merely states that Ukraine will be financially compensated, but it does not specify the source of the funds.
In the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, there are multiple peace plans and counter-proposals that have been put forward, each with its unique elements regarding territorial control, sanctions, security guarantees, and military size. Here's a summary of the main differences between the US peace plan and the European-Ukrainian counter-proposal:
Key Differences
1. Territorial Control
- US Peace Plan: This plan primarily focuses on U.S. recognition of Crimea as part of Russia and de facto recognition of Russian control over nearly all occupied areas since the 2022 invasion, including parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
- European-Ukrainian Counter-Proposal: This proposal emphasizes negotiations on territorial control that are based on international law, rather than accepting Russian control over occupied territories.
2. Sanctions
- US Peace Plan: There is no clear mention of sanctions in the US peace plan as described in the available sources.
- European-Ukrainian Counter-Proposal: The European and Ukrainian stance often emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that could include sanctions adjustments based on Russia's actions and compliance with any agreed terms.
3. Security Guarantees
- US Peace Plan: The plan does not explicitly mention security guarantees as a core component.
- European-Ukrainian Counter-Proposal: This proposal highlights the importance of security guarantees as a precondition for any lasting resolution, stressing the need for international law to be respected and for any agreement to ensure Ukraine's security and sovereignty.
4. Military Size
- US Peace Plan: There is no specific mention of military size adjustments in the US peace plan.
- European-Ukrainian Counter-Proposal: The proposal doesn't explicitly discuss military size, but it emphasizes a broader framework that could include adjustments to military deployments based on the terms of any agreement and the security situation on the ground.
In a nutshell, the US peace plan focuses on territorial recognition and control, while the European-Ukrainian proposal prioritizes security guarantees, compliance with international law, and a more balanced approach to territorial concessions. The European-Ukrainian proposal is more likely to include conditions like sanctions and military adjustments as part of a comprehensive peace agreement.
- The US peace plan suggests financial compensation for Ukraine, but it does not specify the source of the funds, whereas the European-Ukrainian proposal proposes financial compensation for war damages from frozen Russian assets abroad.
- The US peace plan proposes a "robust security guarantee" from European and friendly states, whereas the European and Ukrainian proposal calls for no restrictions on the Ukrainian military or foreign troop deployment on Ukrainian territory.
