European foreign ministers insisted on their involvement in any peace negotiations for Ukraine after reports emerged of a draft US-Russian plan that would be favourable to Moscow. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said any meaningful effort to end the war must include Ukrainian and European input. 'It has to be just and lasting,' she told reporters, 'which means that the Ukrainians, but also the Europeans, agree to this.'
The draft plan, reported on Wednesday, would require Ukraine to surrender territory and cede unprecedented control over its political and military sovereignty to Russia. It surfaced shortly after a massive Russian drone and missile attack on western Ukraine killed at least 26 people and injured over 100 in their apartments.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said peace could not mean capitulation, and that a ceasefire on the line of contact must precede talks on territories and security guarantees. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stressed that Europe is the main supporter of Ukraine and its security is at stake, adding, 'We expect to be consulted.'
Meanwhile, Russia's Duma voted unanimously to threaten legal action against Belgium and Euroclear if the EU confiscates frozen Russian assets. The EU is stalled over a plan to use those assets for a €140bn loan to Ukraine, with Belgium seeking guarantees against legal risks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Ukraine faces a €136bn shortfall in 2026-27 for defence and running the country.
