European Leaders Push Back on U.S. Ukraine Peace Proposal as UK and France Convene to Coordinate

A recent U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine has exposed sharp differences with several major European partners, who insist they must be fully involved in any negotiations. Paris, Berlin and Helsinki have made clear they will not be sidelined in talks reportedly taking place in Geneva.

A senior European diplomat said Europe would reject a U.S.-driven agreement that did not include full European participation. The diplomat emphasized:

"No negotiations about Ukraine without Ukrainians. No negotiations about Europe’s security without Europeans."

U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have described progress on an "updated and refined peace framework," while acknowledging outstanding issues and saying matters that concern the EU and NATO would move on separate tracks. Negotiators from the U.S., Ukraine and several European states are expected to continue discussions throughout the week.

Some reports have suggested a draft plan involving the U.S. and Russia could require significant concessions from Kyiv; European officials, however, view the American text as a starting point that needs more work. One European official called the U.S. draft "a basis that requires further work," and said the first condition should be implementation of a ceasefire along the line of contact. According to that official, France and the United Kingdom will convene a Coalition of Volunteers meeting to coordinate Europe’s position.

German politician Friedrich Merz warned at the Group of 20 summit that Europe cannot be excluded from any settlement. "Wars cannot be ended by major powers over the heads of the countries affected," he said, adding that negotiators were still far from a satisfactory outcome for all parties.

French President Emmanuel Macron echoed those concerns, saying the U.S. proposal had not been negotiated with European partners despite containing many provisions that directly affect them. He singled out suggested restrictions on Ukraine’s military capacity as effectively limiting Ukrainian sovereignty, and urged that the draft serve only as a basis for renewed, broader negotiations.

Finland’s Alexander Stubb wrote on X that matters within NATO’s remit must be decided by Europe and NATO: "It is clear that Europe and NATO decide on matters concerning them."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte described elements of the U.S. effort as constructive while acknowledging some parts would need to change. He said the U.S. team appeared to be working hard toward a durable and lasting peace that would preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated Kyiv’s red lines in an address to Sweden’s parliament, insisting: "The aggressor must pay fully for the war he started," and rejecting territorial concessions. "Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen… That is the main problem," Zelenskyy warned.

Moscow dismissed emerging European proposals as "not constructive," according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

The coming days are likely to see intensified diplomatic activity as London and Paris attempt to align European positions and negotiators from several capitals weigh in on the substance and scope of any final settlement. Key unresolved issues include a ceasefire, security guarantees, the status of territory, and how NATO- and EU-related concerns would be handled in any agreement.