The United States and the European Union have starkly different positions on the future of post-war Ukraine. The sets of proposals from talks between American, European and Ukrainian officials in Paris on April 17 and in London on April 23 have produced several new proposals that are now on Donald Trump's desk, Reuters reports.
The main areas of difference in the two texts are on resolving territorial issues, lifting sanctions on Russia, security guarantees and the size of Ukraine's military. The first text reflects proposals communicated by Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, to European officials in Paris. The second text emerged a week later from talks between Ukrainian and European officials in London and was provided to the American side.
Witkoff’s proposals called for de jure U.S. recognition of Russian control over Crimea, but also de facto recognition of Russian control over areas of southern and eastern Ukraine that Moscow’s forces control. In contrast, the European and Ukrainian document postpones detailed discussion of territory until after a ceasefire is concluded, with no mention in the document of recognition of Russian control over any Ukrainian territory.
On Ukraine's long-term security, the Witkoff document says Ukraine will have a "strong security guarantee" with European states acting as guarantors. It does not provide further details on this, but says Kiev will not seek to join NATO. The rival document is more specific, saying there will be no restrictions on Ukrainian forces and no restrictions on Ukraine's allies stationing their military forces on Ukrainian soil -- a provision likely to upset Moscow. It proposes strong security guarantees for Kiev, including from the United States an "Article 5-like agreement," a reference to NATO's mutual defense clause.
On economic measures, Witkoff's proposals say that sanctions imposed on Russia since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 would be lifted as part of the deal under discussion. Counterproposals say there would be "a gradual easing of sanctions once a lasting peace is achieved" and that sanctions could be reinstated if Russia violates the terms of the peace agreement.
The European and Ukrainian document also proposes that Ukraine receive financial compensation for war-related damages from frozen Russian assets abroad. Witkoff's text only says that Ukraine will be compensated financially, without specifying the source of the money. (A2 Televizion)
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