European leaders are expressing deep concern over the US President Donald Trump’s administration’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine, which includes recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and Ukraine’s refusal to join NATO. These conditions put European countries before a difficult choice: to support Kyiv or make concessions to Washington, which could lead to a split in NATO and the EU.
According to the Financial Times, Trump offered Ukraine a “take-it-or-leave-it” deal that largely favours Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly rejected the idea of recognising Russian sovereignty over any occupied territory, saying that Ukraine was ready for negotiations but not capitulation.
European officials fear that unilateral US actions could undermine NATO unity and EU stability, especially in the context of sanctions against Russia. They emphasise that recognising the annexation of Crimea contradicts the principles of international law and could encourage further aggression by Moscow in other regions.
Ahead of the NATO summit in June, European capitals are trying to find a compromise with the Trump administration on future US commitments to European security and trade, fearing that Washington could use these issues as leverage.
