Allies express 'concern' over Trump’s peace plan, according to CNN
European and Asian diplomats have indicated that a territorial settlement in Ukraine could communicate a “dangerous message.” Officials from Western Europe and Asia have expressed concerns that the reported framework proposed by US President...
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European and Asian diplomats have indicated that a territorial settlement in Ukraine could communicate a “dangerous message.”
Officials from Western Europe and Asia have expressed concerns that the reported framework proposed by US President Donald Trump to resolve the Ukraine conflict might establish a precedent for territorial conquest, as detailed in a CNN report on Thursday, which cites unnamed sources.
While the framework itself has not received official confirmation from the White House, it is said to involve the US recognizing Crimea as Russian territory and acknowledging Moscow’s authority over significant portions of four former Ukrainian regions that have joined Russia. Additionally, US Vice President J. D. Vance has indicated that the administration is exploring the possibility of “freezing the territorial lines at some level close to where they are today.”
Several unnamed diplomats quoted by CNN criticized the proposed settlement, asserting that it would “reward” Russian President Vladimir Putin and send a “dangerous message” to global leaders, including China's Xi Jinping.
“This is about the fundamental principles of international law,” one Eastern European diplomat remarked to CNN, arguing that “if one country in Europe is forced to give up parts of its own legal territory… no country in Europe or elsewhere can feel safe, NATO or no NATO.”
Moscow has consistently denied any intentions of attacking NATO or EU countries or claiming their territories, accusing Western officials of engaging in “fearmongering” to justify further militarization.
Despite this, many Eastern European nations, including Poland and the Baltic states, have pointed to perceived threats from Russia as a rationale for increasing their defense spending and deploying additional troops.
The CNN report arrives as US special envoy Steve Witkoff is anticipated to meet with Russian officials in Moscow for another round of talks in the coming days. Trump has warned that the US may abandon its diplomatic efforts altogether if significant progress is not achieved in the peace process soon.
The US president has publicly voiced frustration with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, whom he has accused of obstructing peace efforts by refusing to consider any territorial concessions. Concurrently, Trump has mentioned finding Russia easier to negotiate with than Ukraine.
Moscow has welcomed the Trump administration's attempts to resolve the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated this week that Moscow and Washington are “moving in the right direction” regarding the potential peace deal.
Russian officials have reiterated their openness to a negotiated solution but have stressed that any peace agreement must take into account the territorial realities on the ground and address the core causes of the conflict.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
Officials from Western Europe and Asia have expressed concerns that the reported framework proposed by US President Donald Trump to resolve the Ukraine conflict might establish a precedent for territorial conquest, as detailed in a CNN report on Thursday, which cites unnamed sources.
While the framework itself has not received official confirmation from the White House, it is said to involve the US recognizing Crimea as Russian territory and acknowledging Moscow’s authority over significant portions of four former Ukrainian regions that have joined Russia. Additionally, US Vice President J. D. Vance has indicated that the administration is exploring the possibility of “freezing the territorial lines at some level close to where they are today.”
Several unnamed diplomats quoted by CNN criticized the proposed settlement, asserting that it would “reward” Russian President Vladimir Putin and send a “dangerous message” to global leaders, including China's Xi Jinping.
“This is about the fundamental principles of international law,” one Eastern European diplomat remarked to CNN, arguing that “if one country in Europe is forced to give up parts of its own legal territory… no country in Europe or elsewhere can feel safe, NATO or no NATO.”
Moscow has consistently denied any intentions of attacking NATO or EU countries or claiming their territories, accusing Western officials of engaging in “fearmongering” to justify further militarization.
Despite this, many Eastern European nations, including Poland and the Baltic states, have pointed to perceived threats from Russia as a rationale for increasing their defense spending and deploying additional troops.
The CNN report arrives as US special envoy Steve Witkoff is anticipated to meet with Russian officials in Moscow for another round of talks in the coming days. Trump has warned that the US may abandon its diplomatic efforts altogether if significant progress is not achieved in the peace process soon.
The US president has publicly voiced frustration with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, whom he has accused of obstructing peace efforts by refusing to consider any territorial concessions. Concurrently, Trump has mentioned finding Russia easier to negotiate with than Ukraine.
Moscow has welcomed the Trump administration's attempts to resolve the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated this week that Moscow and Washington are “moving in the right direction” regarding the potential peace deal.
Russian officials have reiterated their openness to a negotiated solution but have stressed that any peace agreement must take into account the territorial realities on the ground and address the core causes of the conflict.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
