Ukraine, the United States and the member countries of the European Union, you will discuss consultations this Sunday in Geneva (Switzerland). This was confirmed by the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, within the framework of the G20 meeting taking place this weekend in Johannesburg (South Africa).
Previously, the Ukrainian presidency had reported that “consultations on steps to end the war” will be held in the coming days with the United States. Shortly after, the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerovhas explained that they will be held in Switzerland.
“There will now be additional consultations from the ‘E3’ group (Germany, France and the United Kingdom) and other representatives of the European Union (EU),” Merz assured the media after participating in the summit. In addition, he assured that “foreign policy advisors are now on their way to Geneva, where tomorrow, throughout the day, there will be new consultations with representatives of the US Government and with representatives of Ukraine.”
Merz wanted to emphasize “very clearly” that “Naturally there can only be an end to the war if there is full consent on the part of Ukraine.” “Wars cannot be ended by the great powers going over the heads of the affected countries, but this is a war that can only be ended with the consent of Ukraine and also with our consent, European consent,” he emphasized. “Because it is a war on the European continent and depending on how this war ends, it will have consequences for the security of Europe.”
The German chancellor warned that “if Ukraine loses this war and possibly collapses, this will have consequences for the entire European politics, for the entire European continent.” In addition, I point to the telephone conversation he had this Friday with his American counterpart. “I reminded him once again how Russia acted regarding the Budapest Memorandum” of 1994. “Ukraine then renounced a large arsenal of weapons, including nuclear weapons, and in exchange received Russia’s promise to permanently accept the country’s territorial integrity. “Russia did not fulfill that promise and that is why other security guarantees must now be given,” he reiterated.
Merz has pointed out that “other agreements, reliable agreements must be reached”, and the Europeans and Germans “are prepared to participate in this process” of negotiation. In his opinion, “Right now there is an opportunity to end this war“, although “we are still quite far from a good common result,” he warned.
European leaders reject Washington’s proposal
The allied leaders of Ukraine, who are meeting this Saturday at the G-20 summit in Johannesburg (South Africa), have expressed their rejection of part of the peace plan drawn up by the United States to end the war in Ukraine by expressing their opposition. very sensitive aspects that appear in the North American documentsuch as the territorial transfer of the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas to Russia or the reduction of Ukraine’s military forces.
Generally speaking, leaders believe that the text represents “a good foundation” but “it needs additional work” that they hope to iron out in the coming days and, in particular, in conversations with the new Ukrainian delegation set up for this purpose this Saturday, headed by the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andri Yermak.
The document recognizes “the continued efforts of the United States” to “bring peace to Ukraine” and highlights that the 28-point peace plan proposed by Washington “includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace.”
The text is signed by the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa; the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenthe Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney; the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb; the french president, Emmanuel Macron; the Prime Minister of Ireland, Michael Martin; the italian prime minister, Georgia Melonithe prime minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi; the prime minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmerthe German chancellor, Friedrich Merzthe Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Storeand the President of the Government, Pedro Sanchez.
All of them make clear in unison that “the principle that borders should not be changed by force” and have also expressed their “concern about the proposal to limit the Ukrainian armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to a future attack,” they indicated in an official statement. “We are willing to participate to guarantee that future peace is sustainable,” the signatories added before finally claiming that any aspect of Trump’s plan that affects the EU and NATO “must be accepted” precisely by the member states of both the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance, respectively.
“We take this opportunity to underscore the strength of our continued support for Ukraine. We will continue to coordinate closely with Ukraine and the United States in the coming days,” they conclude.
