August M
As Washington accelerates its latest push for a peace settlement in Ukraine, European leaders are growing increasingly alarmed about a potential agreement shaped largely by U.S.–Russia bargaining.
European officials are bracing for negotiations in which they hold limited sway, despite having supplied Ukraine with roughly €180 billion in aid since the start of the invasion, according to News.ro.
Their concern intensified after Washington circulated a 28-point draft peace plan that Kyiv and European governments viewed as heavily aligned with Moscow’s demands.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has attempted to reassure allies that NATO and EU partners will be involved in future discussions, but diplomats say such assurances ring hollow given recent U.S. moves.
New diplomatic push
President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants to end what his administration calls a “bloodbath,” though his efforts — including a summer summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska — have not stopped the fighting.
Last week, the U.S. and Ukraine announced they had produced an “updated and refined peace framework” following talks in Geneva.
The Kremlin described the existing exchanges as proposals that “could form the basis for future agreements,” rather than a finalized deal.
The White House confirmed that special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Moscow, with a meeting scheduled between Witkoff and Putin on Tuesday.
The visit follows consultations with Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and European leaders, notes News.ro.
European anxieties grow
Across the continent, concerns have mounted that any bargain could leave Russia in control of seized territory and open the door to new U.S.–Russia economic cooperation, particularly in energy and raw materials.
Analysts cited by News.ro warn that such an outcome could weaken European security and reward Moscow’s aggression.
Ukraine’s red lines
According to News.ro, Volodymyr Zelensky has said that “the territorial issue is the most difficult,” reiterating Kyiv’s refusal to give up its remaining areas in Donbas. called the latest U.S.–Ukraine consultations “very constructive” but acknowledged that “there are still some difficult issues that need to be resolved.”
With Russian forces advancing at their fastest pace since 2022 and now controlling just over 19% of Ukraine, European governments fear that a rushed settlement could encourage future aggression.
