President Donald Trump’s recent 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine has sparked significant controversy and concern among U.S. allies. The plan, which includes a proposal for a dialogue between Russia and NATO mediated by the United States, raises questions about America's role within NATO and its commitment to collective defense under Article 5.

The plan was unveiled without prior consultation with Ukraine or its allies, including a coalition of 30 countries that have pledged support for Ukraine’s defense. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed that he believes the plan could serve as a foundation for a peaceful settlement, which many interpret as a demand for Ukraine to capitulate. Key provisions of the plan suggest that Ukraine would need to cede territory in the Donbas region, limit the size of its armed forces, and offer amnesty for Russian war crimes.

During the recent G20 summit in Johannesburg, leaders from Europe and Japan expressed their disapproval of the plan. Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada noted that while there was some disagreement on security guarantees, there was a strong consensus against the U.S. proposal. "When you put 13 leaders in a room with a broken air conditioner, you won’t get perfect unity," he said, highlighting the challenges of reaching a unified stance.

The joint statement from the leaders emphasized that borders should not be changed by force and indicated that the U.S. plan required further refinement. Carney’s discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored the importance of including Ukraine in any negotiations, a point that was overlooked in the U.S. plan.

The plan, developed by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, has not been officially approved by the White House but was signed off by Trump, making it U.S. policy. Critics argue that it aligns closely with the objectives of Putin’s military operations, including the stipulation that Ukraine would not be allowed to join NATO and that Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk would be recognized as Russian territories, despite ongoing Ukrainian control in parts of Donetsk.

Senator Roger Wicker, chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed skepticism about the plan’s potential to achieve peace. "Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the world’s most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin," he stated.

In response to the U.S. proposal, European leaders have put forth a counter-proposal that aims to address Ukraine’s concerns by offering robust security guarantees, a larger military presence, and negotiations on territorial adjustments. However, this counter-proposal was dismissed by Russian officials as "completely unconstructive," contributing to a somber atmosphere following the summit.

A senior Canadian official indicated that the prospect of achieving peace by American Thanksgiving appears unlikely, reflecting the ongoing complexities of the situation in Ukraine and the international response to the U.S. plan.