After initial negotiations between the Americans, Ukraine and leading European countries in a new peace plan, Chancellor Friedrich Merz dampened hopes of a quick breakthrough. “Peace in Ukraine did not happen overnight,” the CDU leader said after a special European Union summit on the Ukraine war in the Angolan capital Luanda.
The Europeans and Ukrainians were initially relieved because they were able to thwart America’s plans to end Russia’s war of aggression. But now it depends on how Moscow reacts to this. There will be further discussions in the coming days. It’s from the US President Donald Trump However, the deadline set this Thursday for concrete results looks unlikely to be met.
What is the new status of negotiations?
The 28-point plan presented by Trump, which has been criticized by many as a “Russian wish list,” is almost entirely unacceptable to Ukraine and European countries. Among other things, Ukraine will have to accept significant territorial losses and upper limits on its troop strength. NATO should refrain from accepting Ukraine and other new members, and the United States should refrain from accepting Ukraine and other new members EU made significant profits from frozen Russian assets.
In talks that lasted for hours until Monday evening in Geneva, Ukraine and European countries tried to thwart the plan. Details of the results were not announced. But the fact that this is seen as a clear success by both Ukrainian and European sides speaks volumes.
The original US plan had been largely changed, he said Merz. The new paper is currently undergoing voting, after which it will become the common position of the United States, Europe and Ukraine.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also spoke of a strong basis for further progress. “This is about the security of our entire continent, now and in the future,” he said in Luanda. According to German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, all questions related to NATO and the EU have been removed from the draft. This was also confirmed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who led the US delegation in Geneva.
What’s important now?
Russia’s reaction will largely determine the course of further negotiations. “The next step to be taken: Russia must come to the negotiating table,” Merz demanded. As long as Russia does not move, no process will begin. “And if there is no trial, there will be no peace.”
The initial reaction from Russia was reserved. After a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Vladimir Putin initially only emphasized that the long-standing US plan could be the basis for ending the war. In the afternoon, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, was clearer. The new proposal is “not constructive.” “We don’t like it,” he said. Russia is investigating what was transmitted through official channels. And that’s Trump’s 28-point plan.
What is next?
The negotiation process is considered very dynamic. European countries’ relief could quickly turn the other way. Those involved are aware of this. What is certain is that there are still many further discussions that will be carried out in the next few days.
Geneva negotiators returned to their capital and are now coordinating the outcome with their heads of state and government. Von der Leyen announced that there would be talks this Tuesday within a group called the Coalition of the Will. In addition to EU countries such as Germany and France, Ukraine’s support group also includes non-EU countries such as the United Kingdom and Norway.
But Russia’s response will be crucial. This task must now be completed United States of America as a mediator and initiator of the process. It is unknown to what degree this will occur.
Talks between Ukraine and America will also continue. A joint statement shared in Kyiv and Washington said the two sides agreed to continue intensive work on the proposal “in the coming days” while continuing to coordinate closely with European partners. The final decision regarding this new plan will be made by Trump and Zelensky.
What is the main question?
The most difficult issue to resolve is Russia’s territorial claims. Concessions at this point are as unacceptable to European countries as they are to Ukraine. The fact that borders cannot be moved due to wars of aggression is actually a strong principle for them, as it is for Ukraine.
The current front line must be the starting point for negotiations and not the ending point, stressed Wadephul. It was clear to him that Russia, as the cause of the war, “must essentially bear the consequences.”
How far is there still peace?
America is building massive pressure. Rubio spoke of the “tremendous progress” that has been made. The unresolved problems “are not insurmountable,” he said – without providing details.
However, he no longer sees the deadline set on Thursday as mandatory. He even softened the deadline for Ukraine to agree to a peace plan. Although he – like Trump – wants a conclusion by Thursday – “whether Thursday, Friday, Wednesday or Monday of next week” is not important given the deaths in Ukraine.
In comparison, the Merz brakes quite clearly. “This is a painstaking process. At best, he will only take small steps this week,” he said in Luanda.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251124-930-335599/1
