British-American political scientist and Russia expert Sam Green from King's College London commented on his profile on the social network X the peace framework proposed by the US for Ukraine, as well as the information that Russia is ready to freeze the current front line.
According to publications in the Financial Times and other leading publications, Washington's proposal includes Ukraine's refusal to join NATO and de facto recognition of Russian control over the occupied Ukrainian territories.
In Green's assessment, this would be an attempt by Moscow to achieve at the negotiating table what it cannot achieve on the battlefield - namely "the elimination of Ukraine as an independent entity".
He emphasizes that the US proposal does not include real guarantees for the security of Ukraine, nor does it envisage the deployment of Western forces in the country. This, he believes, opens up the possibility for Putin to create a permanent threat and political control over Kiev.
But this threat can only be realized under two conditions, says Green: if there are no European deterrent forces in Ukraine and if there is no clear prospect of the country's membership in the European Union.
"Therefore, European forces must enter (into Ukraine) even before the ceasefire or at the moment it begins," the political scientist writes.
He points out that Europe has the means to put pressure on both Moscow and Washington. Possible actions include:
imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine;
seizing Russian assets frozen in the EU;
refusing to automatically follow the US foreign policy line and imposing sanctions on anyone who would benefit from deals with illegally acquired Ukrainian property.
"If the agreement described in the Financial Times actually comes to fruition, Europe will have to show strength in the three key areas in which it has so far been passive: security, sanctions and non-recognition," Green summarizes.
He concludes with a warning that "Washington and Moscow can impose a ceasefire on Ukraine on unfavourable terms, and everything indicates that they will. Kiev cannot change this on its own. But Europe can."