Sir Keir Starmer and other international leaders have described the US-drafted peace plan for Ukraine as “a basis which will require additional work”, expressing concerns over proposals to limit Kyiv’s armed forces. The joint statement, issued on Saturday after their meeting at the Johannesburg G20 summit, also emphasised that “borders must not be changed by force”.
Washington reportedly pressed Ukraine to accept the 28-point agreement, secretly drafted with Russia, which would require Kyiv to make major concessions including surrendering territory, cutting the size of its army, and abandoning its path to Nato membership. The Prime Minister and 12 other European and international leaders welcomed US efforts but stressed the need for further work, particularly on limitations to Ukraine’s armed forces, which they said would leave the country vulnerable.
The statement was issued alongside France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Ireland, the EU Commission, and the EU Council. Starmer held 25-minute talks with France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz before the meeting expanded to include other G7 and G20 leaders.
The plan was reportedly negotiated by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, excluding Kyiv and European allies. US and Ukrainian officials are expected to hold talks in Geneva on Sunday, with Witkoff and US secretary of state Marco Rubio attending. National security advisers from the UK, France, and Germany are also expected to be present.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian representatives in Switzerland “know how to protect Ukrainian national interests” and prevent another Russian invasion. US President Donald Trump told Fox News Radio he wanted a response from Ukraine by Thursday, while Russian President Vladimir Putin cautiously welcomed the proposal but noted it had not been discussed substantively with Russia.
