Prime Minister Mark Carney and a group of world leaders convened in South Africa and released a joint statement over the weekend expressing concerns that additional efforts will be needed to implement U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. This discussion took place on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, focusing on Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s caution that the nation is confronting a challenging period in its history.
Zelenskyy is under pressure from Trump to accept a peace plan by November 27, which some view as favoring Russia. The joint statement emphasized the importance of not altering borders by force and raised apprehensions about the potential vulnerabilities Ukraine could face with proposed restrictions on its armed forces.
Trump’s 28-point plan requires Kyiv to concede territory, limit its military size, and abandon aspirations to join NATO, aligning with longstanding Russian demands. However, the plan also includes provisions that Russia may find disagreeable, such as withdrawing its troops from certain regions in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy addressed the nation via video, acknowledging the intense pressure imposed by Trump’s recent actions. The meeting included representatives from Canada, the European Council, the European Commission, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Finland, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, and Ireland.
Despite not attending the G20 summit, Trump asserted that his peace proposal for Ukraine is open for negotiation, emphasizing the urgency of ending the conflict. Global affairs expert Michael Bociurkiw, present at the summit, criticized Trump’s plan, stating it would be detrimental to Ukraine’s sovereignty if accepted.
Carney disclosed online that certain aspects of Trump’s plan are promising, and he committed to collaborating closely with Ukraine and the U.S. in the days ahead. Bilateral meetings were scheduled between Carney and leaders from France, Norway, the European Union, Germany, and the U.K., emphasizing support for Ukraine’s interests and security.
Moreover, the G20 host, South Africa, restricted foreign media from filming one-on-one meetings between world leaders, a departure from typical summit practices. The leaders at G20 issued a declaration addressing global challenges, including the climate crisis. However, a White House official criticized the process, stating the U.S. was not adequately involved in drafting the declaration.
