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U.S. Proposes Peace Plan for Ukraine and Russia
On August 14, 2024, Ukrainian troops were seen operating a tank along a road in the Sumy region, close to the Russian border. This comes on the heels of a significant offensive by the Ukrainian military, which commenced on August 6, capturing numerous settlements in Russia’s Kursk region. This marks the largest military incursion by a foreign force into Russian territory since World War II.
The United States has disclosed plans aimed at fostering peace between Ukraine and Russia, which include proposals to cease hostilities and potentially ease sanctions on Moscow. This information was reported by Bloomberg News.
The discussions regarding these proposals occurred in Paris, where U.S. officials provided details to European Union representatives. Among those involved in the talks was French President Emmanuel Macron, who engaged with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other national security advisors were reported to have met with international negotiators to explore the details further.
According to sources from the EU, the U.S. plan suggests a “frozen” state for the ongoing conflict, indicating that the areas of Ukraine currently under Russian occupation would remain under the control of Moscow. Furthermore, the proposals stipulate that Ukraine would not be permitted to join NATO as part of any settlement reached, a point highlighted by the same sources.
The suggestion of easing sanctions on Russia appears to be a significant aspect of this plan; however, any reduction in restrictions imposed by the EU would require consensus from all member nations. Observers have pointed out that while the plan provides a framework, it does not amount to a definitive agreement between the two countries. EU representatives indicated that they would not recognize any territories controlled by Russia in Ukraine as being legitimately part of Moscow.
Discussions surrounding the proposal are expected to continue, particularly focusing on obtaining Ukraine’s perspective and agreement. For any peace initiative to succeed, experts emphasize that Russia must agree to a cessation of hostilities, while Ukraine would require guarantees regarding its security.
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