European leaders say US plan to end Ukraine war needs ‘additional work’

European leaders have expressed concern about the US plan to end the Ukraine war, saying the draft proposals are “a basis that will require additional work”.

In a joint statement issued at the G20 summit in South Africa, they said the plan “contains important elements that will be necessary for a just and lasting peace” but cited concerns about borders and restrictions on Ukrainian armed forces.

This came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Kiev was facing “one of the most difficult moments in our history” due to pressure to accept the plan; The leak of details was seen to be in Moscow’s favour.

While US President Donald Trump gave Ukraine until November 27 to accept the 28-article plan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that this could be the “basis” of an agreement.

The joint declaration was signed by the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany and Norway. Two senior EU officials also signed the agreement.

The statement included the following: “We are ready to take action to ensure that future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders should not be changed by force.

“We are also concerned about the proposed limitations on Ukrainian armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.”

He added: “Implementation of elements related to the European Union and NATO will require the consent of EU and NATO members respectively.”