Ukraine’s Western allies, including Canada, are seeking revisions to a U.S. peace proposal that Kyiv and European leaders view as potentially favouring Moscow, despite Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion. A Ukrainian delegation, accompanied by representatives from France, Germany, and the U.K., is scheduled for talks with U.S. officials in Switzerland on Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine will continue to defend its territory.

The U.S. plan, consisting of 28 points, proposes that Ukraine cede territory to Russia, reduce its armed forces, and halt aspirations to join NATO—measures that Kyiv has consistently rejected. Some elements of the proposal align with long-standing Russian demands, while offering limited security guarantees for Ukraine. European leaders, Canada, and Japan have welcomed U.S. engagement but expressed concerns, emphasising that borders should not be changed by force and that restrictions on Ukraine’s military could leave the country vulnerable. Decisions regarding NATO or EU membership, they noted, require approval from member states.

Ahead of the talks, the leaders of France, Germany, and the U.K. met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa to coordinate support for Kyiv. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that wars cannot be decided by major powers without the consent of the countries involved and highlighted the need for robust guarantees for Ukraine.

European leaders continue to express skepticism about Russia’s commitment to peace. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer observed that Moscow has repeatedly engaged in negotiations while taking actions that contradict its stated intentions. Kyiv has accepted multiple U.S. ceasefire proposals this year, whereas Russia has reportedly sought more favourable terms, raising concerns that Moscow may aim to weaken Ukraine’s forces rather than achieve a negotiated settlement.