Western leaders said: the US' 28-point Ukraine-Russia ceasefire plan "needs further refinement"
Switzerland - Ukrainian and U.S. envoys will meet on Sunday in Switzerland with European security officials to discuss Washington's plan to end the war with Russia. Trump's 28-point plan requires the invaded Ukraine to cede territory, cut its military, and commit never to join NATO. Trump said he hopes Kyiv accepts his 28-point proposal by Thursday.
AFP reported that President Trump gave Ukraine less than a week to approve the plan, more specifically, he hoped Kyiv would accept it by Thursday. However, Kyiv is trying to revise a draft to accept some of Moscow's hardline demands.
The European allies of Ukraine did not participate in drafting the plan, and they rushed to present their own plan at the G20 summit in South Africa to strengthen Kyiv's interests, saying this plan also needs "further refinement".
A U.S. official told AFP that Secretary of State Rubio and diplomatic envoy Witkowicz are prepared to attend the meeting in Geneva on Sunday, and U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, who had met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, has already arrived in Geneva.
President Zelenskyy stated after issuing an order appointing a Ukrainian delegation led by his senior aide Andrei Yermak to attend the talks, "will consult with partners on the steps needed to end the war."
"Our representatives know how to defend Ukraine's national interests, as well as how to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion."
Zelenskyy's decree stated that the negotiations will include "representatives of the Russian Federation." The Russian side has not yet confirmed whether it will participate in the talks.
UK Prime Minister Starmer said that senior officials will meet in Geneva "to push developments forward," and emphasized that providing solid "security guarantees" for Ukraine is crucial in any solution.
He told reporters during a break at the G20 summit in Johannesburg: "The focus now is on the meeting in Geneva on Sunday, and whether we can make progress on Sunday morning."
Starmer said his national security advisor Jonathan Powell will arrive in Geneva on Sunday. Italian foreign sources said Italy will send its prime minister's national security advisor Fabrizio Sacchetti. Sources from the G20 summit said that French and German security officials will also attend.
Western leaders at the G20 summit on Saturday said that the U.S. plan "is just a basis and needs further refinement."
Leaders of major European countries, as well as Canada and Japan, said in a joint statement: "We clearly state the principle that borders must never be changed by force. We are also concerned about the proposed restrictions on Ukraine's armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks."
Zelenskyy said in a speech to the nation on Friday that Ukraine is facing one of the most challenging moments in its history and added that he will propose an alternative to Trump's plan.
"The pressure Ukraine is facing is one of the greatest. Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either lose its dignity or risk losing a key partner," Zelenskyy said in his speech, referring to the possibility of a split with Washington.
President Putin of Russia said that the U.S. plan could "lay the foundation for a final peace agreement," but he warned that if Ukraine withdraws from the negotiations, Russia will further occupy Ukrainian territory.
Well-equipped and stronger Russian forces are slowly and steadily advancing along the long front line.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is facing one of the harshest winters since the war began, following Moscow's brutal bombing of Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
French President Macron told reporters during a break at the G20 summit that the 30 countries supporting Kyiv's "voluntary alliance" will hold a video call on Tuesday after the Geneva talks.
Source: rfi
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849533309224960/
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