The central message regarding the recent American peace plan is that the future of Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine, and decisions about European security should not be made outside Europe. The text emphasizes that the countries involved must be at the table themselves.
Many Members of the European Parliament expressed concerns about the American plan, calling it harmful to the goal of lasting peace. They warn that ambiguity and conflicting signals complicate the process and could affect Europe’s security.
Any future peace agreement will be linked to a prior ceasefire with strong security guarantees for Ukraine. Nothing that Ukraine needs to protect its own security and borders may be curtailed. This European appeal is seen as a response to Russia’s demand that Ukraine must not become a NATO member.
Ukraine’s territorial integrity is explicitly confirmed. According to the adopted text, temporarily occupied territory cannot be recognized as Russian. The principle remains that borders must not be changed by violence. It is expected that European heads of state and government will adopt a similar position at their EU summit in mid-December.
The Parliament also stresses that Russia is responsible for the damage it has caused in Ukraine. The use of frozen Russian bank assets should help with repair and reconstruction, although it is also acknowledged that legal questions remain regarding this.
Meanwhile in Brussels, legislation is being prepared to deploy the seized assets. This forces the EU to keep alternative options on hand, while the Parliament urges progress. At the same time, the EU remains committed to existing sanctions, which will only be lifted following a fully implemented peace agreement.