French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that a U.S.-drafted plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine offers a constructive starting point

but must be reworked to reflect European interests and responsibilities.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Macron said the proposal “incorporates ideas that are quite familiar,” adding that it recognizes key principles such as sovereignty and security guarantees. “It’s good in that it proposes peace,” he noted.

However, Macron emphasized that the plan “wasn’t negotiated with the Europeans,” despite outlining commitments that fall largely on them.

“It stipulates many things for the Europeans. Frozen assets are held by Europeans. The European integration of Ukraine is in the hands of the Europeans,” he said. Decisions regarding NATO, he added, rest with NATO members themselves.

“There are many things that can’t simply be an American proposal,” Macron said. “They require broader consultation.” Photo by Jacques Paquier, Wikimedia commons.