Europeans are working on a peace counter-proposal addressed to the United States and Russia, according to Reuters, in an effort to shape a more balanced framework for ending the war in Ukraine.

The original U.S.–Russia plan, which included 28 points, had sparked strong reactions as it was considered excessively strict for Kyiv — calling, among other things, for territorial concessions and a drastic reduction of the Ukrainian armed forces.

The European counter-proposal, according to a document cited by Reuters, amends key points of the original plan and provides the following:

• A cap of 800,000 troops for the Ukrainian army during peacetime, instead of the U.S.-proposed limit of 600,000.
• Ukraine’s accession to NATO will depend on the consent of all Alliance members, which, as noted, “does not exist at present.”
• NATO will not maintain permanent forces under its command on Ukrainian territory in peacetime.
• Ukraine will be financially compensated, mainly through Russian assets that will remain frozen until Moscow pays compensation for war damages.
• Kyiv will commit not to reclaim occupied territories by military means.
• Negotiations on territorial exchanges will begin from the so-called “line of contact.”
• Ukraine will proceed with elections as soon as possible after the signing of a peace agreement.
• Finally, Ukraine will receive security guarantees from the United States equivalent to those provided under NATO’s Article 5 — that is, collective defense in the event of an attack.