Ukraine and the EU should stand firm and come up with a proper peace plan for peace between Ukraine and Russia/ ΑΡΘΡΟ ΣΤΟ "EUROPEAN INTEREST"

Ukraine and the EU should stand firm and come up with a proper peace plan for peace between Ukraine and Russia

"EUROPEAN INTEREST", 24/11/2025

www.europeaninterest.eu/ukraine-and-the-eu-should-stand-firm-and-come-up-with-a-proper-peace-plan-for-peace-between-ukraine-and-russia/

ByTheodoros Tsikas

On Thursday, November 20th, the Trump’s administration published 28 points for peace between Ukraine and Russia negotiated secretly with Russia without Ukraine and the EU. The US asked Ukraine to accept them by 27th of November without discussion. These points seem to have been dictated by Putin and resemble more a capitulation project rather than a peace project.

This is the darkest hour for Ukraine and for the EU. Our destinies, our freedom and dignity are intertwined, we will defend them together, or we will lose them together.

On Friday night, President Zelensky spoke to Ukrainians to recall his engagement for Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. He affirmed that dignity and freedom of the Ukrainians cannot be neglected.

Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the EU and several heads of States and Governments of the EU expressed their concerns and the requirement that any solution concerning Europe shall be taken with Ukraine and the EU. On November 22nd, several Heads of State and Government, the president of the European Council and the President of the European Commission issued a statement on Ukraine that welcomes in very diplomatic terms the US plan and restate their support for Ukraine. The time for cowardice is over, and courage and determination are needed to avoid being overwhelmed.

Ukraine and EU countries must strongly reject the attempt to impose the yoke of dictatorship on our continent: because that is what this plan is about, reducing us and Ukraine to puppets. Our governments must know how to react, to awaken our public opinion, which has often been left in the hands of propaganda, lacking the courage to overcome our powerlessness and show the way to truly take back control of our destiny and defend our freedom, our democracy, and our values.

We should ask the European Union:

• To fully support to Ukraine and Ukrainians to protect their sovereignty.
• To maintain the sanctions towards Russia as long as the war of aggression continues,
• To require a ceasefire which must be in place for starting any further negotiation because a peace agreement cannot be discussed under daily bombings,
• To immediately use the frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. To this end, member states should be jointly liable together with Belgium in case of legal challenges.

We note the return to Great Power Politics. The EU cannot survive in this new reality if it remains divided. The rise of nationalism within the EU and the sovereignist approach of some member states tend to paralyse imminent joint action in the field of foreign policy and defence. If we do not overcome it, we cannot bring effective political support to Ukraine either. It is only by strengthening European sovereignty and uniting in a true federation that we can be free and secure in Europe.

If we want to be credible in that moment, and give an opportunity to Ukraine to negotiate, Ukraine and the EU shall come up with an alternative proposal to the 28 points plan of the US administration.

This proposal can be based on the principle already stated by Ukraine and the EU:

• Ukraine’s struggle for freedom constitutes an essential element for the maintenance of security and freedom in Europe ;
• The respect of International Law, including the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, must be fully part of the agreement, and convicted break through must be judged
• Any diplomatic initiative must include full recognition of Ukrainian sovereignty and respect for legitimate borders
• The potential exchange of territories must be discussed in presence directly by the two parts of the conflict, respecting international rules
• Ukraine shall keep its rights to defend itself and, as a sovereign state, decide on its own army
• A peace treaty shall contain elements on how to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine

As European integration experience shows, building peace requires democracy, respect of the Rule of Law and institutions that guarantee peace.

In the darkest hour, it is time for our EU governments to understand that they will only survive if they have a common project, only if they understand that it is time for true unity, that they must face together, as a single state, the powerful enemies who seek to destroy us.

In the darkest hour, it is time to relaunch the path towards federation. It is time to create the United States of Europe.

Author profile

Theodoros Tsikas

Mr. Theodoros TSIKAS is a Political Scientist - International Relations Expert, Vice-President of the Greek Union for the Federation of Europe – EEnOE/              UEF Greece