Bangladesh, Nov. 26 -- The leak of a supposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine-purportedly crafted between Washington and Moscow-sent shockwaves through European capitals. Not because of what was in the proposal, but because Europe wasnt invited, consulted, or even shown the courtesy of a heads-up. For the EU leadership, long accustomed to mistaking its own noise for global relevance, the discovery that they werent included was like watching the family realize the kids planned Thanksgiving dinner without telling grandma. And grandma is now screaming.

Within hours of the leak, European officials descended into a level of theatrics normally associated with a reality show on the brink of cancellation. The outcry from Brussels became so over-...