The EU refrained from commenting on the US position on Kinburn, but emphasised the importance of port control

Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine Katarina Mahernova in Mykolaiv. Photo: NikVesti

The European Union's Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, has stressed that control of seaports remains critically important for the EU. At the same time, she refrained from assessing the current discussions on ending Russia's war against Ukraine.

The EU Ambassador to Ukraine said this in a commentary to NikVesti.

When asked whether the US had heard the European position, as the EU insists on controlling the Kinburn Spit and returning it to Mykolaiv region, Mahernova replied:

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«I wouldn't like to comment on the current discussions because the situation is still evolving, and yesterday was a day when there was news every hour, so I can't comment on that. But the issue of access to and control of seaports is very important,» said EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova.

As a reminder, EU leaders have prepared their own alternative to Donald Trump's US plan. The full European document contains 24 key points. Among the main differences:

• No restrictions on the Armed Forces. Ukraine should retain the right to full defence capability.

• Control over critical infrastructure. Kyiv must regain control of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, the Kakhovka Dam and the Kinburn Spit, and ensure free crossings of the Dnipro River.

• Territorial issues after the ceasefire. The EU plan does not provide for the mandatory withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas as a condition for peace.

It is worth noting that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the Kinburn Spit has been occupied by Russian troops. For more than a year, the Ochakiv and Kutsurub communities of Mykolaiv region have been shelled from there. Currently, three villages remain occupied there: Vasylivka (382 residents before the war), Pokrovka (229) and Pokrovske (177).

However, during a meeting with journalists, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he was not working on a European «counterplan» and had not seen any official proposal from the EU.

«I haven't seen any «counterplan» from Europe», said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

28-point «peace plan» from the US

A new US «peace plan» to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian war was developed during informal talks between US and Russian representatives in Miami at the end of last month. As a result, a 28-point document was discussed by Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev.

According to the Financial Times, the document provides for a number of restrictions for Ukraine: giving up part of Donbas, reducing the size of the Armed Forces, limiting arms and US military aid. The plan also contains provisions on recognising Russian as the second official language and granting official status to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Later, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that to end the war «both sides» would have to make «necessary concessions». The media also reported that one of the points of the plan, allegedly approved by Donald Trump, contains a proposal to transfer full control of Donbas to Russia in exchange for rent.

A written version of the document was handed over to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. Zelenskyy stressed that this is only the vision of the American side, not an agreed agreement, and outlined the so-called «red lines» of Ukraine.

Among the main provisions of the proposed plan:

• Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions are de facto recognised as Russian, including by the United States.
• The front line in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions is fixed as the de facto border.
• Withdrawal of the Armed Forces from part of Donetsk region and creation of a demilitarised buffer zone.
• Refusal to join NATO, enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine, and a guarantee by the Alliance not to consider Kyiv's membership in the future.
• Limiting the size of the Ukrainian army to 600,000 troops.
• Gradual lifting of sanctions against Russia and the possibility of economic cooperation between the US and Russia.
• Zaporizhzhya NPP comes under the control of the IAEA, and the electricity produced is divided equally between Ukraine and Russia.
• Full amnesty for all parties for actions committed during the war.
• Holding elections in Ukraine within 100 days of the agreement.
• Creation of a «Peace Council» headed by Donald Trump to oversee the implementation of the agreements.

The document also provides for an investment package to rebuild Ukraine and return Russia to the global economy. White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt noted that under this plan, all parties «will receive more than they have to give».

At the same time, the Russian side claims that it has not received any official proposals from the US to end the war.

On 22 November, US President Donald Trump increased pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying that he could either agree to the White House's peace proposal by Thanksgiving Day on 27 November or «continue to fight with all his little heart».