G20 Leaders Say U.S. 28‑Point Ukraine Peace Plan Needs More Work as Allies Urge Strong Guarantees

Western and European leaders at the G20 summit in Johannesburg described the U.S. 28‑point proposal for ending the war in Ukraine as a starting point that "requires additional work." Ministers and heads of state from G7 countries and European partners met on the sidelines to assess the draft after it was circulated to Kyiv and Moscow this week.

What the draft proposes

According to a copy of the draft shared publicly by a Ukrainian opposition politician and confirmed by a U.S. official, the plan includes provisions that would see Ukraine cede control of parts of the eastern Donbas region and Crimea and renounce future NATO membership. Observers say many clauses mirror long‑standing Russian demands while offering limited security guarantees to Kyiv.

Allied concerns and reactions

Leaders from the European Union, Germany, France, Britain, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Italy, Japan and Norway issued a joint statement saying: "The initial draft of the 28‑point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace. We believe, therefore, that the draft is a basis which will require additional work." They reiterated the principle that "borders must not be changed by force" and expressed concern that proposed limits on Ukraine's armed forces could leave the country vulnerable to future aggression.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that "wars cannot be ended by major powers over the heads of the countries affected," stressing that Kyiv must receive credible and robust guarantees as any negotiation progresses.

U.S., Russia and Kyiv

President Donald Trump has pressed for a timely response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he hoped for an answer by a specified deadline while allowing that terms could be extended if needed. Trump described the U.S. text as not necessarily a final offer and expressed a desire to secure peace quickly.

"We'd like to get the peace... It should have happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened," Mr. Trump said. "If I were president, it never would have happened. We're trying to get it ended one way or the other. We have to get it ended."

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged receiving the draft through U.S. channels and said it "could form the basis for a final peace settlement," while adding that Moscow had not had substantive discussions about the text and that Kyiv had not given its consent.

In Kyiv, President Zelenskyy warned the plan could force a stark choice between defending Ukraine's sovereign rights and preserving crucial external support. Marking Holodomor Memorial Day, he reaffirmed Ukraine's resolve to defend its territory and people.

Next steps

Ukrainian officials said a delegation will travel to Switzerland to consult with U.S. envoys about possible parameters for a future agreement. Kyiv has said its negotiators will approach talks with a clear view of national interests and that they are empowered to engage directly with Russia. European leaders urged patience and cautioned against rushing a settlement that could compromise Ukraine's long‑term security.

As discussions continue, Western leaders say the draft provides a basis for talks but requires more work to ensure any outcome protects Ukraine's sovereignty and prevents a return to conflict.