After several days on the defensive, Europe tried to relaunch itself based on the Ukrainian document. The British newspaper the Telegraph has published the first draft of the counter proposal that Europe and Britain sent to the United States. The plan, the British newspaper wrote, was drawn up at the start of this year, but only announced now, in response to America’s relaunched 28-point plan.
The European proposal provides tighter security guarantees for Kiev in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
Currently no one in Washington has commented on the document, which is very different from those presented by the American government in recent days, especially on sensitive issues such as the size of Ukraine’s armed forces, the issue of joining NATO and handing over territory to Moscow.
Here are the points
- End wars and treaties to ensure that they never happen again, to build a permanent foundation for lasting peace and security.
- Both parties to the conflict are committed to a complete and unconditional ceasefire in the air, on land and at sea.
- The two sides immediately began negotiations on technical methods of monitoring the ceasefire, with the participation of the United States and European countries.
- International ceasefire monitoring led by the United States and conducted by Ukrainian partners was introduced. Monitoring will largely be conducted remotely via satellites, drones and other technological tools, with a flexible component on the ground to investigate suspected violations.
- A mechanism will be created through which parties can submit reports of ceasefire violations, investigate them and discuss remedial measures.
- Russia unconditionally returns all illegally deported and relocated Ukrainian children. This process will be supported by international partners.
- The parties to the conflict exchange all prisoners of war (the “all for all” principle). Russia released all detained civilians.
- Once the continuity of the ceasefire was assured, the parties took steps to provide humanitarian assistance, including possible family visits across the line of contact.
- Ukraine’s sovereignty is respected and reaffirmed. Ukraine is not forced to be neutral.
- Ukraine received legally binding security guarantees, including from the United States (an agreement similar to Article 5), to deter future aggression.
- No restrictions are imposed on the Ukrainian Defense Forces and defense industry, including international cooperation.
- The guarantor countries will constitute an ad hoc group consisting of available European and non-European countries. Ukraine is free to decide on the presence, armament, and operations of friendly forces invited to its territory by the Ukrainian government.
- Ukraine’s membership in NATO depends on consensus within the Alliance.
- Ukraine becomes a member of the European Union.
- Ukraine is ready to remain a non-nuclear state under the NPT.
- Territorial issues will be discussed and resolved after a total and unconditional ceasefire.
- Territorial negotiations will start from the current Line of Control.
- After an agreement on the territorial issue was reached, both Russia and Ukraine promised not to change it by force.
- Ukraine regains control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (with US involvement) as well as the Kakhovka dam. A mechanism for transferring control will be established.
- Ukraine enjoyed free passage on the Dnipro River and control of the Kinburn language.
- Ukraine and its partners implement unlimited economic cooperation.
- Ukraine will be fully rebuilt and compensated economically, including through Russia’s sovereign assets, which will remain frozen until Russia compensates for the damage done to Ukraine.
- Sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014 may be gradually and partially relaxed once sustainable peace is achieved, and could be reimposed in the event of violations of the peace agreement (the “snapback” mechanism).
- Separate talks on Europe’s security architecture will begin, including all OSCE countries.
