Germany is pushing back hard against the United States’ proposed Ukraine peace plan, declaring that only the current front line — not Russian territorial demands — can serve as the foundation for any negotiations to end the war.
The forceful statement came from German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, who responded sharply when questioned about President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal.
Berlin Draws a Red Line
“The basis for peace talks must be the existing line of contact,” Kornelius said, rejecting key U.S. proposals that would recognize Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk as de facto Russian and freeze the conflict in parts of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Trump’s 28-point plan, obtained by AFP, calls for Ukraine to withdraw its forces from parts of Donetsk still under Kyiv’s control, transforming those areas into a buffer zone.
Under the proposal, Russia would keep all territories it holds within Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia — while returning only areas outside those regions.
Limits on Ukraine’s Military? Berlin Says Absolutely Not
The U.S. plan also suggests capping the Ukrainian Armed Forces at 600,000 troops.
Germany firmly rejected the idea.
“Ukraine’s army must remain capable of defending itself,” Kornelius emphasized, signaling that Berlin sees any imposed military limits as a direct threat to European security.
No NATO Membership — Ever? Another Flashpoint
Trump’s proposal further demands that Ukraine amend its constitution to permanently renounce NATO membership, while NATO would formally pledge never to admit the country.
European leaders, including Germany, view this as a dangerous concession that would reward Russian aggression and undermine decades of Western security doctrine.
Europe Holds the Line
Berlin’s response underscores a widening divide between Washington’s unilateral peace blueprint and Europe’s security priorities.
For Germany, any deal must reflect battlefield realities — not Moscow’s political ambitions.
As the debate intensifies, Europe appears determined to ensure that Ukraine’s sovereignty is not negotiated away behind closed doors.