STRASBOURG – During a recent debate on peace negotiations, various political groups expressed that Europe should have initiated peace efforts much earlier. The European Parliament advocates for a strengthened role of the EU in this context.
Dutch MEP Thijs Reuten (GroenLinks-PvdA) highlighted the necessity for “a coordinated and proactive approach to peace with our partners,” asserting that Europe needs to become “a relevant force for peace.” He criticized the 28-point plan as a response made out of desperation to a flawed proposal influenced by Moscow.
Reinier van Lanschot (Volt) argued that “Europe arrived just in time to support Ukraine and avert disaster.” He called for Europe to move past its “inferiority complex” and leverage its potential to become a united democracy that defends freedom, akin to the role previously held by the US.
Manfred Weber, group leader of the center-right EPP, contended that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen should be the representative of the EU in negotiations rather than individual nations like France, Germany, or the UK. Notably, von der Leyen is a member of the EPP, the largest parliamentary group in the EU.
The Greens, represented by group leader Terry Reintke, support the idea that von der Leyen, along with EU foreign minister Kaja Kallas, should represent Europe in these discussions.
The parliament expressed strong disapproval of the American plan, with Iratxe García Pérez of S&D labeling it “not a peace plan, but a capitulation plan.”
The parliament found unacceptable any proposals involving territorial surrender or a reduction of the Ukrainian military, along with a significant portion objecting to a ban on Ukraine’s NATO membership.
Several major political factions, including the social democratic S&D, the liberal Renew, and the Greens, advocate for lifting the blockade on utilizing frozen Russian assets to provide loans to Ukraine, a consensus not yet reached by EU member states.
The European Parliament reaffirmed that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine the victim, asserting that Russia must compensate for the damage it inflicts, which many believe justifies allocating Russian assets to Ukraine.
(November 26, 2025)
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