In a significant development in the ongoing Ukraine conflict negotiations, European powers have presented a modified version of the United States' peace proposal that challenges key aspects of the American plan, particularly regarding limitations on Ukraine's military strength and territorial concessions to Russia.
Key Differences in European Counter-Proposal
According to documents reviewed by Reuters on Sunday, the European counter-proposal fundamentally disagrees with the US approach on several critical points. The European version suggests that Ukraine's military should be capped at 800,000 personnel during peacetime, rather than the blanket cap of 600,000 troops proposed in the original American plan.
The territorial negotiations framework also shows substantial divergence between the transatlantic partners. The European document states that negotiations on territorial swaps will begin from the Line of Contact, directly opposing the US suggestion that certain areas should be pre-determined as de facto Russian territory before talks even begin.
European Security Guarantees and Russian Assets
The counter-proposal, drafted by the so-called European E3 powers - the United Kingdom, France, and Germany - takes the US proposal as its foundation but systematically goes through each point with suggested deletions or modifications.
The European plan proposes that Ukraine receive a security guarantee from the United States similar to NATO's Article 5 clause, which stipulates that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. This represents a significant commitment that would fundamentally alter Ukraine's security position.
Regarding the controversial issue of Russian assets frozen in Western countries, the European document pushes back against the US proposal for their use. It clearly states that Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates for the damage inflicted on Ukraine.
Progress in Geneva Talks
Despite the differences in approach, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that substantial progress had been made during the talks in Geneva. Speaking to reporters after the discussions, Rubio described the meeting as particularly productive.
I would say this was probably the best meeting and day we've had so far in this entire exercise, Rubio told journalists, suggesting that the dialogue between the US and European partners, while revealing differences, was moving in a positive direction.
The emergence of this European counter-proposal highlights the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding the Ukraine conflict, with Western allies navigating delicate balances between supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and seeking a negotiated settlement to the prolonged conflict.
