Ukraine and Europe respond to Putin's ceasefire plan

Jin10 reported on August 9 that according to two European officials familiar with the negotiations, on Saturday, the European powers and Ukraine responded to Russian President Putin's ceasefire plan by proposing a corresponding proposal. They stated that this proposal must serve as a framework for the upcoming talks between Trump and the Russian leaders to make progress. The European side rejected Russia's proposal for the Ukrainian military to withdraw from the remaining control areas in Donetsk in exchange for a ceasefire. The European proposal includes a requirement that a ceasefire must be established before any other steps are taken. It also stated that territorial exchanges could only be conducted in a "reciprocal" manner, meaning that if Ukraine withdraws from certain areas, Russia must withdraw from others. A European negotiating representative stated, "You cannot cede territory in battle to initiate a (peace) process." Crucially, the European plan submitted to U.S. Vice President Vance and others also stipulates that any territorial concessions by Kyiv must be backed by absolutely reliable security guarantees, including Ukraine's potential membership in NATO.