Johannesburg (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as Western officials discuss the US peace plan in Geneva.
As reported by Reuters, Mark Carney announced he will hold talks with Volodymyr Zelenskiy as Western security officials gather in Geneva to discuss the US-proposed peace plan to end the Ukraine war.
What did Mark Carney say about the US peace plan with Ukraine?
Mark Carney said European and Western leaders agreed that the 28-point plan provides a foundation for further work, with their shared position communicated to Washington.
He stated,
“Each of us do not need to call President Trump and communicate that position. The follow-up is being done by our national security advisers. I will be speaking with President Zelenskiy later today, just to close the loop on some aspects of that.”
When questioned about the proposed plan, Mr Carney said,
“We like point number one, Ukraine as a sovereign nation, that is a good start.”
The Canadian Prime Minister added that Sunday’s discussions among national security officials will cover several other issues, with outcomes communicated to Washington.
How did European leaders respond to the US peace plan for Ukraine?
French President Emmanuel Macron said,
“There are many things that cannot simply be an American proposal, which requires broader consultation.”
He stated that any agreement needs to ensure peace for Ukraine and security across Europe.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz underlined Europe’s crucial role in supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
He added,
“If Ukraine loses this war and possibly collapses, it will have an impact on European politics as a whole, on the entire European continent. And that is why we are so committed to this issue. There is currently an opportunity to end this war, but we are still quite a long way from a good outcome for everyone.”
In a statement, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden added,
“Solutions that respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and that will bring Ukraine and Europe greater security and stability have our full support.”
How did Sir Keir Starmer discuss the US peace plan with Trump and Zelensky?
Downing Street said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has spoken with US President Donald Trump by phone.
A spokesman stated Sir Keir Starmer
“relayed the discussions that have been taking place between Coalition of the Willing partners in attendance at the G20 summit today.”
He added that both leaders also
“agreed their teams would work together on the 28-point US peace proposal in Geneva tomorrow.”
The Prime Minister indicated that Ukraine’s Thursday deadline for a peace deal could be extended following discussions with European and NATO allies, including the US and UK.
Mr Starmer said,
“I mean, I think in order to get an agreement, you’ve got to get all the relevant parties to agree, and that’s essentially what the focus is of tomorrow.”
The Labour leader added,
“In addition to the obvious parties, there’s also the EU and NATO who are relevant to this. So all of that has to happen. Obviously, I think it should be done as soon as possible, but it’s got to be a just and lasting peace, and so we’ve got to get it right.”
Mr Starmer continued,
“I think we’ll be in a better position to know once the meeting in Geneva has taken place tomorrow, because that’s the opportunity for the US, Ukraine and European [national security advisers] is to go through quite a bit of the detail.”
What did Donald Trump say about his Ukraine peace plan?
President Trump confirmed that his Ukraine peace plan does not represent his final offer.
He said,
“No, not my final offer. We’d like to get to peace. It should’ve happened a long time ago… We’re trying to get it ended. One way or the other we have to get it ended.”
When asked what would happen if Mr Zelensky did not agree to the proposal by the Thursday timeline, Mr Trump replied,
“Then he can continue to fight his little heart out.”
He told reporters,
“We’d like to get to peace. It should’ve happened a long time ago … we’re trying to get it ended, one way or the other we have to get it ended.”
How did Republican leaders criticize Trump’s Ukraine peace plan?
Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell accused Donald Trump of rewarding Russian President Vladimir Putin and condoning “Russian butchery.”
He said,
“Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors.”
Mr McConnell added,
“Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests. And a capitulation like Biden’s abandonment of Afghanistan would be catastrophic to a legacy of peace through strength.”
Senator Lindsey Graham, a foreign policy hawk and Trump ally, criticized sections of the plan as “very problematic.”
He said,
“While there are many good ideas in the proposed Russia-Ukraine peace plan, there are several areas that are very problematic and can be made better.”
Mr Graham added,
“The goal of any peace deal is to end the war honorably and justly – and not create new conflict.”
How did Marco Rubio clarify the US role in the Ukraine 28-point plan?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the 28-point Ukraine peace proposal was authored by Washington, despite claims from several senators.
He added,
“It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine.”
Republican Senator Mike Rounds said Mr Rubio called him and fellow senators to confirm the US received the proposal and passed it to Ukraine.
He continued,
“He made it very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives. It is not our recommendation, it is not our plan.”
What are the 28 points of the US-proposed Ukraine peace plan?
- Ukraine’s sovereignty confirmed.
- Russia, Ukraine, and Europe sign a non-aggression agreement.
- Russia won’t invade neighbors; NATO won’t expand further.
- US-mediated Russia-NATO dialogue to resolve security issues.
- Ukraine gets reliable security guarantees.
- Ukrainian Armed Forces will be capped at 600,000 personnel.
- Ukraine constitutionally bars NATO membership; NATO agrees.
- NATO will not station troops in Ukraine.
- European fighter jets will be deployed in Poland.
- US guarantees: compensation, sanctions if Ukraine/Russia violates terms.
- Ukraine is eligible for EU membership; short-term market access.
- Global reconstruction package for Ukraine, including tech, gas, and cities.
- Russia reintegrated into the global economy; sanctions were lifted in stages.
- $100B Russian frozen assets invested in Ukraine; profits shared.
- A US-Russia working group will be established to ensure compliance.
- Russia legally commits to non-aggression toward Europe and Ukraine.
- US-Russia nuclear treaties extended, including START I.
- Ukraine remains a non-nuclear state under NPT.
- Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant supervised by IAEA; 50:50 electricity share.
- Educational programs in both countries promote tolerance, reject racism.
- Territorial arrangements: Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk recognized as Russian.
- Kherson, Zaporizhzhia frozen; buffer zones established.
- Ukraine uses the Dnieper River; grain transport in Black Sea guaranteed.
- Humanitarian committee for prisoner exchange, hostages, and families.
- Ukraine holds elections in 100 days.
- Full amnesty for all conflict parties; no future claims.
- The Peace Council, led by Trump, monitors and enforces the agreement.
- Ceasefire begins immediately after retreats to agreed positions.