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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is confronted with what he has termed an “impossible choice” between losing Ukraine’s “freedom, dignity, and justice” or forfeiting the United States as a key ally amid mounting pressure from President Donald J Trump to accept a 28-point peace proposal to end the war with Russia ahead of a Thanksgiving Day deadline.

The plan, leaked by Axios and reportedly presented to Zelensky on November 20, 2025, by U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll during a meeting in Kyiv, requires significant concessions from Ukraine in exchange for a ceasefire and U.S. security guarantees.

The plan’s framework, developed in consultation with Russian officials, includes territorial recognition of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk as Russian, along with frozen lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia—amounting to about 18-20% of Ukraine’s pre-2014 territory. Ukraine would also abandon its aspirations to being a NATO member, cap its military at 600,000 personnel, and commit to neutrality, while Russia gains sanctions relief, economic reintegration, and an invitation to rejoin the G8.

Ukraine would also receive U.S.-led security pledges, EU membership eligibility, and $100 billion in reconstruction aid funded partly by $300 billion frozen Russian assets.

Zelensky, in a 10-minute speech outside the presidential palace in Kyiv on November 21, 2025, criticized the proposal as forcing Ukraine to sacrifice its “freedom, dignity, and justice” or risk losing the U.S. as an ally. He states that the plan’s “harsh concessions,” including territorial losses exceed Russia’s current holdings, and warned it could leave Ukraine exposed to future Russian aggression.

Ukraine’s European allies view the 28-point plan as unbalanced as it omits Russian reparations for war damages, forfeits any current and future claims for war crimes against Russia or any of its officials, and does not require a full Russian troop withdrawal.

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas described the plan as a “list of points to satisfy Putin” and a “very bad plan,” warning it sets a dangerous precedent by rewarding invasion. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has concerns over Ukraine’s territorial concessions and 600,000 military personnel cap.

President Trump describes the 28-plan as a pathway to ending the war quickly yet stating there is room for negotiation stating, “not my final offer.” In a Fox Radio interview on November 21, 2025, he confirmed a deadline of November 27 (Thanksgiving) for Kyiv to respond, stating, “Thursday is, we think, an appropriate time.”

If Ukraine rejects the plan, the White House has implied that the U.S. may cut off military aid, intelligence sharing, and logistical support, to Ukraine effectively forcing Ukraine to continue the war without U.S. backing.

The EU is currently enhancing defense capabilities through its “Readiness 2030” initiative, to enhance war readiness by 2030 and increase military spending by €800 billion.

Transcript of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Address to the Nation:

My fellow Ukrainians,

Today, we stand at one of the most difficult moments in our history. Not just because of the war that Russia unleashed on us three years ago, but because of the choices we face right now—choices that test the very soul of our nation.

I am speaking to you from the heart of Kyiv, from the place where our independence was born and where it has been defended time and again. Yesterday, we received a proposal from our American partners—a 28-point plan meant to bring peace. It comes with promises of security guarantees, reconstruction aid, and an end to the fighting. But let me be clear: this is not peace. This is an ultimatum dressed as diplomacy.

The plan asks us to cede land that is ours by right—Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. That’s 18 to 20 percent of our territory before 2014. It demands we cap our army at 600,000 soldiers, abandon our dream of NATO membership forever, and commit to neutrality. In return? Russia gets sanctions lifted, a seat back at the G8 table, and economic lifelines. No reparations for the cities they’ve bombed to rubble. No justice for the children they’ve stolen or the civilians they’ve slaughtered. No full withdrawal of their troops. And an amnesty that lets war criminals walk free.

This is not a deal between equals. This is a choice forced upon us: surrender our freedom, our dignity, and our justice—or risk losing the support of a key ally, the United States, without whom this war has been so much harder to fight. They say, “Sign by Thanksgiving, or fight alone.” But I ask you: Is this the peace our heroes died for? Is this the future we voted for in 2014?

We have welcomed American efforts for diplomacy. We have fought side by side with them and with Europe. But real peace cannot be dictated over our heads. It must respect our constitution, our sovereignty, and the blood spilled on our soil. Putin will use this moment to paint us as the ones refusing peace, while he demands the impossible. We will not let him. We will not betray Ukraine.

To our European friends—France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, and all who stand with us—thank you for your voices today. You understand that a bad peace rewards aggression and invites the next invasion. To President Trump and Vice President Vance, whom I spoke with today: We are ready for talks, for alternatives that protect our people, not punish them. But we will not sign away our future under duress.

My fellow Ukrainians, the week ahead will be very difficult. Either you sign this, or you will simply be eliminated—that is the message we hear. We did not betray Ukraine in the darkest days of 2022; we will not do it now. And I know for certain that in this truly one of the hardest moments of our history, I am not alone. You are with me. Our warriors are with me. The world that values freedom is with us.

Unity is our strength. We will endure this winter, cold as it may be, and emerge stronger. Slava Ukraini!

Author: Mario Lotmore