Post by : Rameen Ariff

At the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, Ukraine’s allies will gather to discuss strategies to reinforce a US-brokered peace initiative aimed at halting the ongoing war with Russia. This meeting comes shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine is currently facing “one of the most difficult moments in our history” amidst increasing pressure to adopt the plan, perceived as advantageous to Moscow.

Recently, President Zelensky had discussions with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the French and German leaders. Starmer remarked afterwards that Ukraine’s global partners are dedicated to achieving a “lasting peace once and for all.”

Neither US President Donald Trump nor Russian President Vladimir Putin will be partaking in the G20 summit.

Controversies Surrounding the US Peace Plan

Details of the US plan have become public and include many proposals that Ukraine has previously dismissed. Key aspects of the plan suggest that Kyiv may need to relinquish control over certain eastern regions, decrease its military size, and agree to refrain from joining NATO—demands long pursued by Russia.

High-ranking US military officials have recently visited Kyiv to engage with Ukrainian leaders about the plan. While Washington is advocating for its prompt acceptance, some European leaders express reservations about the plan being overly favorable to Moscow. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas termed the potential agreement a “very dangerous moment,” underscoring that “the terms of any accord must be determined by Ukraine itself.”

Agenda at the G20 Summit

In anticipation of the summit, Starmer indicated that world leaders will reevaluate the current proposal and seek methods to enhance the plan for ensuing negotiations. “For months, Ukraine has been poised to engage in talks, while Russia has prolonged conflict and violence,” Starmer added. “Together with both the US and Ukraine, we must endeavor to forge a just and enduring peace once and for all.”

Trump’s Ultimatum to Ukraine

US President Donald Trump has warned that if Ukraine does not accept the plan, it risks losing more territory to Russia. He has given Kyiv a response deadline set for Thursday, coinciding with US Thanksgiving, referring to it as an “appropriate” timeframe for decision-making.

This situation underscores the escalating international pressures as Ukraine assesses the US peace proposal, striving to safeguard its sovereignty and uphold its European partnerships.

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