The US 28-point plan includes major concessions from Ukraine to Russia. US President Trump wants Ukraine to accept this. German Foreign Minister Wadephul, however, warns that a peace agreement only makes sense if it is reliable.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, referring to the US plan for ending the war in Ukraine, emphasized the importance of a reliable, long-term peace."What can be called peace must be a peace that is reliable, that is just," Wadephul said on the Tagesthemen news program.
"It's possible we're on the home stretch to a ceasefire. Whether it will lead to a peace agreement is still very much up in the air." A peace agreement only makes sense if it offers a guarantee that it will last. Security guarantees—which are only vaguely described in the US plan so far—are therefore of great importance, according to the German Foreign Minister.
Wadephul pointed out that Russia started the war, refuses a ceasefire, and"tramples on international law and simply continues shooting." He warned of the risk that Russia, which is currently engaged in a massive military buildup, would attack again after a peace agreement.
"Doubts that this will be possible very quickly"
Germany and its European partners are "advocates for Ukraine" and will represent Europe's interests in the process, Wadephul continued. The US government's plan contains points"that must be assessed differently from our, from a European perspective." Many of these points need further discussion. He did not provide more specific details. Ultimately, however, it is"Ukraine's sovereign decision" what it signs – and what it does not.
US President Donald Trump put pressure on Ukraine by issuing an ultimatum demanding acceptance of the plan by Thursday – otherwise, he apparently intends to withdraw US support from the country. Wadephul, however, warned against"rushing" in the Tagesthemen news program.
Everyone understands that the shooting needs to end quickly, Wadephul said."But we need time to think about what a reliable foundation for lasting peace can be. And I doubt that will be possible very quickly."
The plan presented by the US as a step towards peace comprises 28 points. It demands numerous concessions from Ukraine to Russia. Wadephul explained that the details had only recently become known to the Europeans as well. A counter-proposal is being developed"with great urgency." "There is still much work to be done."
Merz spoke to Trump on the phone
Wadephul emphasized that Washington had signaled its willingness to talk. He was referring to the conversation that Chancellor Friedrich Merz had already held with Trump earlier that day. The 15-minute phone call was"trusting and binding," and "next steps" for coordination at the advisor level were agreed upon, said government spokesman Stefan Kornelius.
According to the Washington Post, Trump's deadline comes with a threat: Should Ukraine resist, it must expect to lose US support, the report said, citing several sources.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine is facing one of the"most difficult moments" in its history. It is faced with a choice:"Either lose its dignity or risk losing its key partner."
The country faces a choice: either implement the "difficult 28 points" of the US plan or "experience an extremely difficult winter." The US president therefore sees his Ukrainian counterpart under pressure: "At some point, he will have to accept something he hasn't accepted so far," Trump told reporters.
Zelenskyy will present alternatives
Zelenskyy announced that he would present alternatives to the plan put forward by the US. He said that work would continue around the clock in the coming days on every point of the plan.
He later confirmed that he had discussed the US initiative in a nearly hour-long conversation with US Vice President JD Vance:"We agreed that we will work together with America and Europe at the consultative level to have a truly workable path to peace."
Ukraine would have to give up two regions
The draft of the US 28-point plan, which among other things demands that Ukraine effectively give up a significant part of its territory to Russia, was leaked via several US media outlets such as the news portal Axios.
Furthermore, Ukraine is to enshrine its commitment to not joining NATO in its constitution. NATO is to pledge not to admit Ukraine and not to station troops in the country. The plan also envisions limiting the Ukrainian army to 600,000 soldiers. In return, Ukraine would receive"reliable security guarantees," the plan vaguely states.
Russian President Vladimir Putin views the US peace plan as a possible basis for a solution to the war with Ukraine. However, should the government in Kyiv reject the plan, Russian forces would continue their advance.
