Lithuanian president on US peace plan: ideas that put Ukraine at disadvantage unacceptable

VILNIUS - Any proposals that would put Ukraine at a disadvantage are unacceptable, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Friday following media reports about a 28-point US plan to end the war.

"It is probably not the best thing for a president to comment on rumors, but yes, we see certain signals that there are thoughts about sitting down at the negotiating table. However, let me remind you of the key principle of any peace discussion - no talks about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine at the table," Nauseda told a forum hosted by the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center in Vilnius.

"Any ideas that would put Ukraine on the weaker side are unacceptable and we cannot tolerate such efforts," he added.

The 28-point plan backed by US President Donald Trump would require Ukraine to cede part of its eastern territories to Russia and reduce the size of its armed forces, according to Washington's draft seen by AFP.

Kyiv would also pledge not to join NATO, and no Western peacekeepers would be deployed in Ukraine if a peace deal were reached.

However, European military aircraft would be stationed in Poland to provide protection to Ukraine in case of a potential threat.

Nauseda said cutting Ukraine's armed forces or making other concessions to Russia "would mean Ukraine's capitulation."

"We must seize this moment to show strong will and a strong position by the European community, demonstrating that we need a solution that preserves Ukraine's territorial integrity and provides security guarantees for the future," the Lithuanian president said.

"If Ukraine's armed forces were reduced by 50 percent, what options would remain for Ukraine?" he added.

Nauseda underlined the crucial role of the US in ensuring Ukraine's security.

Although media outlets have published details of the reported peace plan, European leaders say they have not seen it.

"I am looking forward to seeing that document. I want to see Ukraine's reaction and hear the voice of the European community," the president said.

"It has to be strong. We cannot quietly watch and simply comment on developments. We must take active steps, and this is our historic chance to do that," he added.

The plan also reportedly calls for Russia to be readmitted to the Group of Seven (G7), restoring the G8 format. Sanctions on Moscow would also be eased. A US official said the plan was still in working mode.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expected to discuss the plan with Trump in the coming days.

The White House denies reports that the plan was prepared together with Moscow.