Europe and Ukraine Reject Russia’s Proposal

European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have put forward a joint plan that rejects Russia’s earlier proposal for Kyiv to relinquish Donbas in exchange for a ceasefire, Orda.kz reports, citing The Wall Street Journal.

The plan was presented on August 9 during a meeting with U.S. representatives in the United Kingdom:

• First a ceasefire, then any further steps
• Territory swaps only on equal terms — if Ukraine withdraws from certain regions, Russia must do the same elsewhere
• Security guarantees for Kyiv, including NATO membership, if concessions are made

According to multiple media outlets, during a meeting with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff on August 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin set out Moscow’s conditions for ending the conflict — full cessation of hostilities in exchange for recognition of Russia’s control over Luhansk, Donetsk, and Crimea.

Kyiv dismissed the idea, warning against deciding Ukraine’s fate without its involvement.

Ukraine is ready for real solutions that can bring peace. Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are decisions against peace. They will bring nothing — they are dead decisions, Zelenskyy said.

French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this, stressing that Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without its people and reaffirming Europe’s commitment to supporting Kyiv.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska on August 15. According to CBS News, the White House is considering having Ukrainian President Zelenskyy participate in the summit.

Original Author: Raushan Korzhumbekova