The European response to Putin’s proposal for ceasefire with territorial concessions reveals a clear “red line” in negotiations over Ukraine. According to a Wall Street Journal report, European governments together with Ukraine propose achieving a ceasefire first, before any discussion of territorial concessions. The counter-proposal demands mutual territory exchanges and strict security guarantees, including the prospect of Ukraine’s NATO membership. This plan aims to provide momentum for upcoming US-Russia talks and ensure Kyiv’s active role.
In consultations for this counter-proposal, according to the report, participants included the governments of Britain, Germany, France, as well as Ukraine.
Europe’s goal is to establish a common “red line” together with Ukraine, which, according to European officials, must apply to any potential negotiation with Russia.
The European proposal includes demands for ceasefire before taking any other measures. It also states that territory exchanges can only happen mutually, meaning if Ukraine withdraws from certain areas, Russia must withdraw from others.
As noted in the report, “crucially, the European plan, which was presented to US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg, and the American envoy to Moscow Steve Witkoff, also stipulates that any territorial concession from Kyiv must be accompanied by ironclad security guarantees, including potential NATO membership for Ukraine.”
According to WSJ, the European plan was presented to the American side by chief advisors of European leaders with Vance being “present” at the meeting, while most other American officials participated via video link.
In their meeting with Vance, European officials reiterated that Ukraine’s future cannot be discussed without Ukraine. Whatever happens in Washington, Europe will continue providing weapons and money to Ukraine, stated a senior European official.
Putin’s proposal
According to a previous WSJ report, the basic condition of Putin’s proposal involves withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the eastern Donbas region, while Moscow would retain control of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea.
Specifically, the Russian proposal envisions complete ceasefire if Ukraine withdraws its military forces from the entire eastern province of Donetsk. Despite Russia controlling the majority of the region, Kyiv still holds significant portions of it.
Under the plan, Russia would retain control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as Crimea, which it has annexed since 2014. According to information cited by the outlet, the Russian president shows flexibility in negotiations, potentially leaving territories that Russian forces had captured in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
The proposal – if agreement is reached – would be implemented in two phases: initially, Ukraine would withdraw from Donetsk and front lines would be “frozen.” In the second stage, Putin and Trump would agree on a final peace plan (possibly on August 15th in Alaska), which would then be discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
