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EU's von der Leyen to reach out to Zelenskiy on Ukraine peace plan

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 21, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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EU's von der Leyen to reach out to Zelenskiy on Ukraine peace plan
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By Julia Payne JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -European Union leaders and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will reach out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss a U.S. peace plan on

EU to Engage Zelenskiy on Ukraine Peace Plan at G20 Summit

By Julia Payne

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -European Union leaders and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will reach out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss a U.S. peace plan on Ukraine during the current G20 summit, von der Leyen said on Friday.

"We will discuss the situation both with European leaders and with leaders here on the sidelines of the G20. I will also reach out to President Zelenskiy to discuss the matter," she told reporters. 

Von der Leyen said a key principle European leaders had always upheld was "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine." 

The United States and Russia are negotiating a 28-point roadmap to end the war in Ukraine but Brussels has not been included in the negotiations.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday, after talks with a top U.S. Army official, that he was ready for "constructive, honest and prompt work" with Washington.

According to the U.S.-backed plan, seen by Reuters, Kyiv would be required to give up the entire Donbas region - part of which Kyiv's forces control - and significantly downsize its military, conditions long seen by Ukraine's allies as tantamount to capitulation.

(Reporting by Julia Payne and Inti Landauro; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Jon Boyle)

Key Takeaways

  • EU leaders to discuss Ukraine peace plan at G20.
  • Von der Leyen emphasizes 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine'.
  • US and Russia negotiate a roadmap excluding Brussels.
  • Zelenskiy open to constructive talks with Washington.
  • Kyiv may need to concede Donbas region under US plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the G20 summit?
The G20 summit is an annual meeting of leaders from 19 countries and the European Union, focusing on global economic issues, international financial stability, and sustainable development.
What is the Donbas region?
The Donbas region is an area in eastern Ukraine that includes the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, known for its industrial output and has been a focal point of conflict in the Ukraine crisis.
What is military downsizing?
Military downsizing refers to the process of reducing the size and capabilities of a country's armed forces, often involving cuts to personnel, equipment, and budgets.

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