NATO Chief Rutte Tells Radio Free Europe 'Thoughtful Dialogue' Needed On Ukraine

"Speaking to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty from the military alliance's headquarter in Brussels on November 24, Rutte characterized weekend talks over the proposal -- which blindsided Kyiv and its European allies -- in Geneva between US and Ukrainian negotiators as "very successful." "Well obviously some of the elements have to be really thought through," Rutte said on the 28-point plan, adding that "clearly as a base it served its purpose yesterday to get the two parties to really dialogue.""

"The plan, leaked to several media including RFE/RL, late last week sent alarm bells ringing in several European capitals as well as in Kyiv with some calling it a Kremlin "wish list." The terms required sweeping concessions by Kyiv and appeared to mirror many of the Kremlin's demands -- including the surrender of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions -- known as the Donbas -- and Crimea, along with setting limits on the size of Ukraine's military."

"The proposal also would allow Moscow back into the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations as well as gradually easing Western sanctions on the Kremlin. As the proposal became public, European diplomats scrambled to draft a counterproposal that is easier on Kyiv. The 58-year-old former Dutch prime minister said "elements more concerning the EU or NATO will be discussed separately.""

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said a US 28-point peace proposal helped bring Kyiv and Washington closer toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Weekend Geneva talks between US and Ukrainian negotiators were called very successful and prompted dialogue, Rutte said, while noting some elements need careful thought. The leaked plan alarmed European capitals and Kyiv because it appeared to mirror Kremlin demands, including surrendering Donetsk and Luhansk, ceding Crimea, and limiting Ukraine's military. The proposal would also ease sanctions and reinstate Russia in the Group of Seven. European diplomats drafted a softer counterproposal. No public details emerged on security guarantees or reconstruction funding.

Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty