Ukraine allies to hold talks on White House peace plan at G20 as pressure intensifies on Kyiv to respond to a proposal widely seen as favorable to Moscow.
The discussions come a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the country was entering “one of the most difficult moments in our history,” amid fears that accepting the plan could force Ukraine to concede territory and long held security goals.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said leaders convening in South Africa would aim to “strengthen” the plan and ensure any diplomatic path protects Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Neither US President Donald Trump nor Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the G20 summit, leaving allies to navigate the contentious proposal on their behalf.
The White House plan, leaked across European media, suggests Ukraine may be required to cede eastern areas it currently controls, reduce its military size and pledge not to join NATO.
These conditions mirror longstanding demands from Russia and mark a significant shift from previous Western positions supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Washington has urged Kyiv to accept the proposal, dispatching Pentagon officials to Ukraine this week to discuss its terms.
Trump said Friday that Ukraine risked losing additional territory “in a short amount of time” if an agreement was not reached, adding Zelensky “is going to have to approve” the plan.
Kyiv has relied heavily on US military aid and intelligence since Russia’s full scale invasion in 2022. With frontline conditions worsening and Russian troops making incremental advances, the prospect of diminished support has heightened Ukrainian concerns.
“This is a pivotal moment,” said a senior European diplomat familiar with the negotiations. “Ukraine allies to hold talks on White House peace plan at G20 because the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Europe fears a settlement that undermines both Ukrainian sovereignty and long term security on the continent. Experts warn that the plan’s terms could reshape the regional balance of power.
Dr. Helena Orlov, a security analyst at the Center for European Policy, said the United States appears to be prioritizing a rapid end to hostilities over broader geopolitical implications.
“Russia would gain de facto recognition of its battlefield gains,” Orlov said. “This would be unprecedented in modern European history. Ukraine allies to hold talks on White House peace plan at G20 to prevent an outcome seen as rewarding aggression.”
Other analysts argue the United States may be seeking to limit its financial and military commitments. Mark Ellison, former adviser at NATO’s Defense College, said Washington is “attempting to freeze the conflict rather than resolve it.”
“Ukraine is being asked to accept guarantees that reduce its defense capacity and close the door to NATO,” Ellison said. “This aligns with Russian objectives. The fear among European allies is that once frozen, the conflict could reignite on even worse terms.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the moment “very dangerous,” warning that any concessions Kyiv is pressured into could set a precedent with global consequences.
Ukraine’s military has suffered heavy losses as Russian forces continue slow but steady advances along the eastern front.
While exact numbers remain classified, Ukrainian officials said earlier this month that the ratio of artillery fire had tilted significantly in Russia’s favor, in some areas by as much as five to one.
According to data compiled by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Ukraine has lost more than a quarter of its pre-war armored vehicles, despite continuous Western replenishment.
Meanwhile, Russia has mobilized additional brigades and has significantly increased domestic weapons production. Economic pressure continues to mount as well.
The World Bank reported that Ukraine’s GDP contracted by more than thirty percent in the first year of the invasion, with recovery now tied closely to Western aid flows and security guarantees.
“Ukraine allies to hold talks on White House peace plan at G20 because the military and economic realities are shifting,” said Viktor Danyluk, a Kyiv-based economist. “Several countries believe a negotiated settlement may be the only remaining path to prevent further collapse.”
Across Ukraine, reactions to the leaked peace plan have been mixed but emotional. Many Ukrainians fear territorial concessions could fracture the country and dishonor those who died defending it.
“We have fought too hard to see our land handed away at a conference table,” said Iryna Kovalenko, a school administrator in Kharkiv. “But we also know our soldiers are exhausted. It feels like the world is deciding our future without us.”
Others expressed concern that rejecting the plan could risk losing essential US support. “If America steps back, we won’t survive this war,” said Andriy Melnyk, a volunteer paramedic in Dnipro.
“Ukraine allies to hold talks on White House peace plan at G20, but we are afraid the decision has already been made somewhere far away.”
In Odesa, a port city still recovering from recent missile attacks, residents said uncertainty has become part of daily life.
“We just want peace, but not peace that leaves us vulnerable,” said Alina Hretska, a café owner. Everyone is talking about this plan, but nobody knows what happens next.
Zelensky has insisted Ukraine will present “alternatives” to the White House proposal and has vowed to protect national dignity while maintaining cooperation with Washington.
His government faces the delicate task of balancing international pressure with domestic expectations. Putin said Friday that the US plan could serve as a “basis” for negotiations, though the Kremlin has not discussed its specifics.
Russian officials have repeatedly signaled openness to talks that solidify Russian control over captured territories.
Diplomats expect tense negotiations at the G20 summit. Without Trump or Putin present, the burden falls on European leaders and US envoys to define the next steps.
This summit may shape the direction of the war for years, said Dr. Orlov. Whether the plan is revised, rejected or fast tracked, the consequences will be felt across the entire security landscape.
As Ukraine allies to hold talks on White House peace plan at G20, leaders face a complex challenge: finding a diplomatic path that satisfies Washington, addresses European concerns and protects Ukraine’s sovereignty.
With pressure mounting and the battlefield shifting, the summit’s outcome may determine whether the war edges toward resolution or a prolonged and uncertain stalemate.