G20 leaders push back on US peace plan for Ukraine

World
By Editor_1
From left: European Council President António Costa, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after speaking at a news conference for the South Africa-European Union Trilateral Leaders’ Meeting amid the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday (Nov. 20, 2025). Leaders of some of the world’s most powerful countries pushed back on demands that Ukraine cede territory and limit the size of its army, included in President Donald Trump’s latest proposal to end the war with Russia -Joao Silva/The New York Times

By John Eligon and Michael Schwirtz

JOHANNESBURG — Leaders of some of the world’s most powerful countries pushed back on demands that Ukraine cede territory and limit the size of its army, included in President Donald Trump’s latest proposal to end the war with Russia. But they said they believed the plan provided a basis for further negotiations, according to a joint statement released after they met in Johannesburg on Saturday (22).

The proposal, a 28-point plan, calls for Ukrainian concessions already largely rejected by the country’s president and allies. Trump gave President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine until Thursday (27) to agree to the plan, though he said Saturday the plan was “not my final offer” and suggested that the deadline could be extended should progress be made in negotiations.

It remained unclear Saturday how much wiggle room Ukraine and its European allies would have to change the proposal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, will head to Geneva on Sunday (23), where they are expected to meet senior Ukrainian officials to discuss Kyiv’s response to the American proposal, a US official said Saturday.

Even before the latest proposal was made public last week, Ukraine’s allies in Europe and across the globe faced pressure to show they could get Ukraine the economic and military support it needs to continue battling Russia should the United States cease its contributions. Germany, which is already Ukraine’s largest military backer in Europe, this month pledged an additional $3.5 billion in assistance for next year, and France and Sweden recently pledged hundreds of new fighter jets.

Though couched in diplomatic language, public statements from European leaders about the new proposal, including at Saturday’s G20 meeting, made clear that their support for Ukraine was unwavering, whatever the pressure from the White House. In a joint statement adopted Saturday, the leaders of 11 nations — including Germany, France, Britain, Japan and Canada — and the European Union said the 28-point plan included “important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace”.

But they also made clear that they took issue with provisions of the plan that would strip Ukraine of territory and limit the size of its armed forces.

“What is at stake is Ukrainian sovereignty and European security,” President Emmanuel Macron of France said Saturday, adding that European countries would work with the Ukrainians over the next two days to create a plan for the way forward.

“Our problem is not the US,” Macron told reporters at the G20 summit. “Our unique problem — all of us — is Russia, who started this war, who refused to take the ceasefire proposals.”

How much influence European leaders might have at this point in the war is unclear. Together with Ukraine, they have been cut out of the deliberations that produced this latest proposal. In the past, though, Europe’s unified support of Kyiv, together with the stubborn refusal of Russian President Vladimir Putin to back down from his maximalist demands, has been enough to at least preserve the status quo and keep Ukraine in the fight.

Macron said negotiating teams from the European Union, Germany, Britain and France would meet with American and Ukrainian negotiators in Geneva “to be able to bring substance back to the table and reconcile all these views.” This will be followed by a meeting of the “coalition of the willing,” a group of more than 30 countries supporting Ukraine, he said.

In a video posted to social media Saturday, Zelenskyy expressed a grim view of the proposal before him and expressed doubt that it could be a starting point to negotiate peace.

“Right now, this is about much more than any points in any document,” he said. “We must ensure that nowhere in Europe or the world does the principle prevail that crimes against people and humanity, against states and nations, can ever be rewarded in any way or forgiven.”

Saturday’s meeting took place on the sidelines of the Group of 20 heads of state summit, an annual gathering that brings together leaders of the world’s largest economies to try to agree on shared ambitions on the most pressing global issues. The United States did not send a delegation; Trump said he was boycotting it because of his belief that South Africa was persecuting its white minority.

But all other countries and regional bodies belonging to the group sent delegations, and they quickly released a declaration agreed upon by most of them, including Russia. It included a call that “all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition,” and for an agreement to work toward peace in several conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.

Since Trump took office in January, vowing to end the war in his first 24 hours as president, numerous moments have had the feel of inflection points — flurries of diplomatic activity and claims of serious progress — that ultimately yielded no change on the ground.

There was the Oval Office meeting in February when the president and his vice president berated Zelenskyy for not being sufficiently grateful for American support and for not wearing a suit. There were the many threats, ultimatums and deadlines Trump has directed to Putin. And there was Trump’s summit with Putin in Alaska in August, followed days later by an extraordinary meeting at the White House with Zelenskyy and the heads of most major European countries. All of this turned out to be high drama, but low substance.

The question is whether this time will be any different.

The 28-point plan was worked out between Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, and Witkoff, to the exclusion of Ukraine and Europe. It calls for Ukraine to surrender significant territory, including land that Russia does not already occupy. It also calls for a limit on the size of Ukraine’s military, and prohibits its membership in NATO and the presence of NATO troops in the country.

Putin has said the plan could “serve as a foundation for a final peace agreement.”

As the war approaches the start of its fifth year, Zelenskyy has acknowledged that Ukraine is under pressure like never before, and not just because of Trump’s demands.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces are steadily losing ground, though they are inflicting severe costs on the Russians in lives and materiel. Politically, Zelenskyy’s government is facing accusations of large-scale corruption by senior officials and must contend with increasingly vociferous calls from his opponents for a significant response.

But while polls show that Ukrainians are much more supportive of a negotiated settlement today than at the war’s start, many officials, commentators and Ukrainians across the country have described Trump’s latest proposal as tantamount to capitulation. Faced with Trump’s Thursday deadline, Zelenskyy has begun to prepare his people for what he has suggested could be an existential decision.

“Ukraine may find itself facing a very tough choice,” Zelenskyy said in an address to the nation Friday. “Either the loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely hard winter — the hardest yet — and the dangers that follow.”

In Johannesburg on Saturday, the G20 gathering put supporters of Ukraine in the same room with a Russian delegation led by a top deputy of Putin, who did not attend because he faced an international arrest warrant.

On Saturday morning, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain, alluding to Russia, said in a statement,

“There is only one country around the G20 table that is not calling for a ceasefire, and one country that is deploying a barrage of drones and missiles to destroy livelihoods and murder innocent civilians.”

António Costa, the president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, held a call with Zelenskyy on Friday night, and after that, met with Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. On Saturday morning, they met with Macron.

The larger meeting Saturday included the leaders of Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy and Spain.

In remarks Friday (21), von der Leyen said, “Ukraine can count on us because this is not only an aggression against Ukraine, but it is an aggression against the principles of the UN charter,” referring to the United Nations.

“It’s on European soil,” she added. “Therefore, we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

-New York Times

From left: European Council President António Costa, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after speaking at a news conference for the South Africa-European Union Trilateral Leaders’ Meeting amid the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday (Nov. 20, 2025). Leaders of some of the world’s most powerful countries pushed back on demands that Ukraine cede territory and limit the size of its army, included in President Donald Trump’s latest proposal to end the war with Russia -Joao Silva/The New York Times

Editor_1
You might also like More from author

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.

otc high blood pressure treatment blood pressure guidelines medications blood pressure pills that is safe for the liver high blood pressure medication levothyroxine blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure is there any difference in blood pressure pills high blood pressure child medication blood pressure medication recommendation nose blue blood pressure medication blood pressure is 150 68 should i take my medication blood pressure medication while nursing taking a bunch of high blood pressure pills aerobic exercise and blood pressure medication good blood pressure medication acupuncture treatment for low blood pressure best over the counter pills for high blood pressure blood pressure pill amlodipine besylate high blood pressure signs and treatment moderna vaccine blood pressure medication which blood pressure drugs do not cause tinnitus blood pressure medication fights cancer blood pressure medication skin rash side effects of high blood pressure medication impotence medication to avoid on blood pressure medications high blood pressure rx medication peripheral neuropathy caused by blood pressure medication high blood pressure in pregnancy treatment nice runny nose do to blood pressure medication how to get off of blood pressure pills hiv medication and high blood pressure niacin treatment for high blood pressure two drugs for blood pressure that caused cancer high blood pressure causing medications high blood pressure medication names canada blood pressure medication side effects alcohol i take 3 blood pressure medication blood pressure pills that help with anxiety what iv drug raises blood pressure list of doctors who formulated blood pressure medications how to remember blood pressure medications sleeping pills blood pressure how fast does blood pressure medication take effect sweet n low high blood pressure medication home treatment for blood pressure high blood pressure medication matrocet high blood pressure medication doses blood pressure drug bystolic iberstaron blood pressure medication blood pressure medications st alphabetical celexa and high blood pressure medication does blood pressure pills irritation skin can i take combivent with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications beta blockers list what to do if blood pressure medication does not work drugs to lower your blood pressure red beet pills for blood pressure taurine and blood pressure medications how ling for garlic pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication list and side effects can i take aspirin with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication teaching about hot tubs water pills high blood pressure over counter what is an arb medication for blood pressure resveratrol high blood pressure medication high blood pressure medication and weight loss gum disease and blood pressure medication benzenesulfonic acid in blood pressure medication taking two blood pressure pills by mistake allergy pills for high blood pressure blood pressure prescription drugs safety blood pressure medication in pregnancy trazodone and blood pressure medication which blood pressure medication is linked to skin cancer list of blood pressure medications with the least side effects could blood pressure medication make blood thicker disadvantages of high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications ludipril typical drugs for high blood pressure otc water pills for high blood pressure blood pressure medications that do not doncause bowel blockage high blood pressure after corrosion treatment how soon does high blood pressure medication work blood pressure medication teaching amertyrine high blood pressure medication increased blood pressure and heart rate after drug overdose over the counter drugs high blood pressure blood pressure medication 25 is blood pressure medication a nitrate most effective blood pressure pills blood pressure medical does red yeast rice interfere with high blood pressure medication can apple cider vinegar pills lower blood pressure does blood pressure medication give you headaches high blood pressure medication and driving should you take blood pressure pills with food inn blood pressure drugs can you eat bananas if taking blood pressure medication popular high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication los blood pressure medication second drug low blood pressure and hypertension medication do water pills lower blood pressure high blood pressure pill aqunadine high blood pressure cholesterol medication how does medication lower blood pressure acetaminophen blood pressure medication blood pressure medication 30 mg that works around the heart what does grapefruit do to blood pressure medication can red yeast rice be taken with blood pressure medication pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure are blood pressure pills statins blood pressure pills that start with r blood pressure medication and male impotence taking baby aspirin with other high blood pressure medications what is the medical name for a blood pressure cuff leg cramps and blood pressure medication blood pressure pill name starts with p natural high blood pressure treatments blood pressure medication names losartan higher blood pressure with radiation treatment medical marijauna high blood pressure how to avoid medication for high blood pressure what time is best to take blood pressure medication medication for palpitations and high blood pressure latest news on blood pressure treatment what if i take two blood pressure pills does xanax interfere with blood pressure medication amlipan blood pressure medication vitamin e and blood pressure medication tell me the side effects of high blood pressure medication herbs pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication urge to urinate what medication will safely replace lisop as blood pressure medicine active ingredient in high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications cause adrenal tumors is biktarvy ok to take with high blood pressure medication alembic blood pressure medication sandoz blood pressure medication exercise high blood pressure medication grapefruit pills blood pressure treatment for high blood pressure at home blood pressure medication for patients with osa cycle on off blood pressure medication blood pressure drugs that do not cause heat sensitivity blood pressure medications that do not cause coughing what blood pressure medications do not cause rosacea pfizer blood pressure medication side effects do garlic pills really help lower blood pressure should i take medication for anxiety induced blood pressure treatment for uncontrolled blood pressure decongestant medication high blood pressure can stiff days be used with high blood pressure medication how long does it take medication to lower blood pressure what if i miss a blood pressure pill tribenzor high blood pressure pills law lawsuit 2023 treatment of sudden drop in blood pressure zoloft and blood pressure medication orange high blood pressure pill cancer blood pressure pill why cant people with high blood pressure take keto pills how long for blood pressure to go down mini pill should i get second opinion before taking blood pressure medication blood pressure erectile dysfunction medication high blood pressure medication m lot ben medical device lowers blood pressure puppy ate blood pressure pill are there medications for low blood pressure dod blood pressure medication is losartan a blood pressure pill combination drugs for blood pressure marijuana and blood pressure medication interaction blood pressure medication interactions with grapefruit can you eat bananas while taking high blood pressure medication steps before going on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when to cut down foods to avoid on blood pressure medication blood pressure medications depression blood pressure medication non beta blocker tattoos and high blood pressure medication what is the medications used to lower blood pressure quickly high blood pressure medication leg swelling blood pressure medication men in your 40s blood pressure medication wieight loss blood pressure medication hy can blood pressure medication lower blood sugar does blood pressure medication make you pee natural treatment high blood pressure during pregnancy can you take l arginine with high blood pressure medication what class of blood pressure medication can can blood pressure pills reduce appetite faa approved medication for high blood pressure high blood pressure medication during pregnancy best blood pressure medication for type 2 diabetes blood pressure and pain medication pain medication that does not affect blood pressure best high blood pressure drugs on the market if you take incorrect medications to lower blood pressure low blood pressure treatments does your body have to adjust to blood pressure medication why water pill for high blood pressure drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy can i drink grapefruit juice with high blood pressure medication can blood pressure pills make you feel cold high blood pressure medication that helps with weight loss amlodipine blood pressure drug blood pressure medication for infants varicose veins blood pressure medication life extension high blood pressure medication does tylenol interfere with blood pressure medication can i take diamox with other high blood pressure medications prestige medical blood pressure cuff calibration drugs used for high blood pressure chamomile tea and high blood pressure medication narcotics stored alongside blood pressure medications in does nutrigrove blood pressure pills work extremely low blood pressure treatment blood pressure medication for iga nephropathy blood pressure medication low side effects can i increase my blood pressure medication what is the best blood pressure medication to take drugs that cause increased blood pressure does biotin interfere with high blood pressure medication cani od on high blood pressure pills blood pressure medication that also helps with jerking blood pressure medication categories first line treatment of high blood pressure medication for low blood pressure in usa armour thyroid drug interactions blood pressure meds hepatitis c treatment high blood pressure high blood pressure arb drugs low blood pressure treatment with essential oils high blood pressure medication list for pregnancy blood pressure medication and snake venom blood pressure medication low dose liquid blood pressure medications ivf drugs and high blood pressure left my blood pressure medication does it matter when you take blood pressure medication can you take blood pressure pills twice a day privilin blood pressure medication how big are blood pressure pills once you start blood pressure medication can you stop diuretic in blood pressure medication what medication reduce blood pressure new blood pressure treatment prescribed home medications for high blood pressure blood pressure medication side effects forums taking blood pressure pills dizzy when bend over a lot blood pressure medication and nyquil cinnamon pills and high blood pressure temporary high blood pressure treatment single agent blood pressure medication blood pressure medication made in china fda approved medications to reduce blood pressure immediate treatment for high blood pressure at home best time to take blood pressure pills muscle loss on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when needed treat high blood pressure without medication blood pressure medication side effects for men cbd pills for high blood pressure blood pressure regulation without medication blood pressure medication and pre workout high blood pressure alzheimer disease and antihypertensive treatment miss blood pressure medication blood pressure pills suicide peaceful emergency drugs for low blood pressure common blood pressure medications in canada systolic blood pressure define medical viril and high blood pressure pills can statin drugs help lower blood pressure do you have to wean off blood pressure medication new drugs for blood pressure when is high blood pressure medication necessary drugs for hi blood pressure cold medications and blood pressure taking 2 blood pressure pills mistake why doctors stopped prescribing blood pressure medication common high blood pressure medication canada what side effects does blood pressure medication have ulcer medication high blood pressure can high blood pressure medication elevate alkaline phosphatase blood pressure medication warning getting blood pressure medication jamaica alkaline water and blood pressure medication blood pressure going up and down with medication drugs reduce systolic blood pressure treatment for rapid high blood pressure low blood pressure alternative treatment do all high blood pressure medications cause weight gain medication for increasing blood pressure blood pressure medication for african american males vitamins for high blood pressure treatment aleve with blood pressure medication how to lower blood pressure without pills blood pressure triple pill who blood pressure guidelines for hygiene treatment what drug reduces blood pressure blood pressure medications enalapril met blood pressure medication