The European Union has issued a counterproposal to the Americain 28 point peace plan proposal. Here is the text of such counterproposal.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON A LASTING PEACE IN UKRAINE – EUROPEAN COUNTER-PROPOSAL
Preamble The United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States of America, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine, hereinafter referred to as the Parties, recognizing the need to end the ongoing conflict, achieve a lasting peace, and ensure the security and prosperity of the region, hereby agree to the following terms. This memorandum is drafted to serve as the foundation for a comprehensive peace agreement, to be finalized under the auspices of President Donald J. Trump, with full involvement of European partners.
- Immediate Ceasefire: The Parties agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire along the current lines of contact, effective upon signature. All military operations, including artillery fire, aerial attacks, and troop movements, shall cease within 24 hours.
- Mutual Withdrawal of Forces: Ukrainian and Russian forces shall withdraw to positions held as of the date of ceasefire, within 14 days. Demilitarized zones of 30 km shall be established along the entire border between Ukraine and Russia, with European-led monitoring.
- Territorial Recognition: Territorial issues, including Crimea and Donbas, shall be deferred for negotiation in a future summit between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin, under international mediation. No unilateral recognition until agreement.
- Neutrality Clause: Ukraine commits to permanent neutrality and shall not join any military alliance, including NATO, without consensus of all Parties. This commitment shall be enshrined in legislation, subject to review after 10 years.
- Military Limitations: Ukraine’s armed forces shall be limited to 800,000 active personnel in peacetime and no offensive heavy weaponry beyond defensive needs. Russia agrees to reciprocal transparency and reductions near the border.
- Security Guarantees: The United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany shall provide Ukraine with NATO-style security guarantees, including rapid response mechanisms and troop deployments in neighboring countries. A multilateral treaty shall be signed within 60 days.
- Demilitarization of Black Sea: The Black Sea shall be demilitarized for civilian shipping. Naval forces of all Parties shall be restricted to coastal defense, with OSCE and UN monitoring.
- NATO Presence: NATO agrees not to permanently station troops under its command in Ukraine in peacetime, but allows for rotational training and exercises with host nation consent.
- Economic Reconstruction Fund: Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine. No profit-sharing with external parties; funds managed by a European-led consortium.
- Lifting of Sanctions: EU and UK sanctions on Russia shall be lifted in phases upon verified compliance, starting with humanitarian and economic sectors. U.S. sanctions to follow suit.
- Prisoner Exchange: All prisoners of war and detained civilians shall be exchanged on an “all for all” basis within 30 days, under Red Cross supervision.
- Return of Deported Children: Russia shall facilitate the immediate and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children forcibly transferred, with UN and European oversight.
- Humanitarian Access: Unrestricted humanitarian access to all affected areas shall be guaranteed, with safe corridors established by European forces.
- Language and Cultural Rights: In disputed areas, both Ukrainian and Russian shall be recognized as official languages. Cultural and educational rights for all ethnic groups shall be protected under OSCE standards.
- Media and Information Freedom: Both Ukraine and Russia shall abolish discriminatory measures against each other’s media and ensure free access to information, monitored by the Council of Europe.
- Elections in Disputed Areas: Free and fair elections under international observation (OSCE/ODIHR) shall be held in Donbas and Crimea within 18 months to confirm administrative status, post-ceasefire.
- Border Security: Joint Ukraine-Russia border patrols, monitored by the EU and UN, shall be established to prevent illicit activities.
- Energy Cooperation: Ukraine shall resume transit of Russian natural gas on fair terms, with EU incentives for diversification and green energy transition.
- Debt Restructuring: Ukraine’s external debt related to the conflict shall be restructured with EU and IMF assistance, including debt relief.
- War Crimes Accountability: An international tribunal (ICC) shall investigate war crimes, with targeted amnesties for low-level combatants. Prosecutions for leaders subject to mutual consent.
- Non-Aggression Pact: The Parties shall sign a 30-year non-aggression pact, prohibiting any use of force against each other’s territorial integrity, with NATO involvement.
- European Role: The United Kingdom, France, and Germany shall lead peacekeeping forces in demilitarized zones, up to 40,000 troops, with U.S. support.
- U.S. and European Oversight: The United States and European Union shall co-chair the Peace Council, providing mediation and enforcement mechanisms.
- Monitoring Mechanism: A Peace Council, co-chaired by U.S. and EU representatives, shall oversee implementation, with quarterly reports to the UN Security Council and OSCE.
- Timeline for Implementation: Full implementation shall occur within 240 days, with milestones reviewed by the Peace Council.
- Dispute Resolution: Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration by the Peace Council, with appeal to the International Court of Justice.
- Ratification: This memorandum shall be ratified by the legislatures of all Parties within 90 days.
- Entry into Force: Once all Parties agree to this memorandum, the ceasefire shall take effect immediately after both sides retreat to the agreed points to begin implementation. Ceasefire modalities, including monitoring, will be agreed by both parties under U.S. and EU supervision.
