Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Friday that his country is facing “one of the most difficult moments” in its history. Zelenskyy said the US plan could force Ukraine to choose between losing its “dignity” or losing a key ally.
US peace plan pressure
The US proposal has 28 points and pushes Ukraine to give up territory, shrink its military, and promise not to join NATO in return for ending the war. These demands match Russia’s long-standing conditions for ending the conflict.
Zelenskyy said, “The pressure on Ukraine is now at its most intense… either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner, or 28 difficult points, or an extremely harsh winter”, as stated by Times Now report. Zelenskyy added that Ukraine will “work calmly” and quickly with the US and partners to reach a solution. He discussed the US plan with US Vice President JD Vance on Friday.
Many European leaders publicly supported Ukraine after the plan became known, saying Ukraine must not be left out of decisions about its own future. However, European Council President António Costa said the US has not yet shared an official document with the EU.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a joint call on Friday, as per the German government press office. They agreed to safeguard long-term European and Ukrainian interests. They said any agreement must use the current line of contact as the base and keep Ukraine’s military strong enough to protect its sovereignty. This position clashes with the US plan, which asks Ukrainian forces to pull back from parts of their own land.
What the peace plan suggests
Trump’s draft proposal is similar to Russia’s tough demands made during peace talks in Istanbul in 2022. Ukraine must withdraw from parts of eastern Donetsk it still controls. A neutral, demilitarised buffer zone would be created and recognised as Russian territory, as per the report by Times Now. Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk would be recognised “as de facto Russian, including by the United States”.
Ukraine must promise not to join NATO, and NATO cannot station troops in Ukraine. Ukraine’s military would be limited to 600,000 personnel. Ukraine must hold elections within 100 days. In return, sanctions on Russia would be lifted, Russia would rejoin the global economy, and could even return to the G8.
Reactions from Trump and Zelenskyy
Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not looking for more war” and is “taking punishment”, as per Fox News interview. Zelenskyy said he will keep negotiating but will not give up Ukraine’s sovereignty. Zelenskyy added, “I will present arguments, I will persuade, I will offer alternatives…” and said Ukraine will not let Russia claim Ukraine is blocking peace.
FAQs
Q1. What is Trump’s new plan for Ukraine?
Trump’s plan is a 28-point proposal that asks Ukraine to give up land, limit its military, and stay out of NATO in exchange for ending the war.
Q2. Why is Zelenskyy worried about the US proposal?
Zelenskyy fears the plan could force Ukraine to lose dignity or a key ally because it demands big concessions to Russia.