By José Carlos Palma | Editor-in-Chief with Agencies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of a proposed US peace plan, cautioning that Ukraine could risk losing a key international partner if it does not agree to the terms presented by Washington. The proposal, a 28-point plan drafted by the US, includes several demands from Russia, including territorial concessions, a reduced military size, and restrictions on Ukraine’s NATO membership ambitions, demands that Zelensky has consistently rejected.
In a national address, Zelensky outlined the difficult position Ukraine now finds itself in after more than four years of fighting to resist Russia’s invasion. The proposed US plan, according to Zelensky, contains numerous elements of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s long-standing demands, making it a tough pill for Ukraine to swallow. At the same time, Zelensky acknowledged the growing pressure on Ukraine to reach a peace deal with Moscow, even at the cost of potentially compromising its sovereignty.
“The pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest we have faced,” Zelensky stated, adding that the country must decide between maintaining its dignity or risking a rupture with the United States, one of Ukraine’s most important allies. “We may now face a very difficult choice, either losing our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner,” he warned.
Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has to confront the possibility of losing its dignity or risking the loss of a key partner as it figures out how to respond to a US peace proposal to end Russia-Ukraine conflict. pic.twitter.com/hxbPgImVYf
— euronews (@euronews) November 21, 2025
The US peace plan includes provisions that Zelensky has previously rejected, including the cession of Ukrainian territory to Russia, a reduction in Ukraine’s military capacity, and a halt to its aspirations for NATO membership. Zelensky emphasized that while Ukraine remains open to discussions, it would not compromise on these core issues.
In a Friday radio interview, US President Donald Trump urged Zelensky to provide an answer to the peace plan by Thursday, although he allowed for an extension if the negotiations were progressing well. Trump described the proposed deal as a way to end the four-year conflict, but also insisted that the terms were non-negotiable.
Zelensky’s government has pledged to continue engaging in constructive discussions with Washington. He emphasized that these discussions, while difficult, would be held calmly and respectfully. “We will work calmly with America and all partners,” Zelensky assured, underlining that any agreement must be based on fair treatment for Ukraine.
While the US continues to push its peace plan, European leaders have voiced strong concerns over the potential implications of such an agreement, particularly the prospect of Ukraine being forced to cede territory to Russia. European officials have made it clear that any peace deal must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In separate conversations with Zelensky, the leaders of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasizing that any agreement must uphold Ukraine’s right to determine its future. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer all assured Zelensky that they would continue to stand by Ukraine in its fight for a lasting and just peace.
“We all want this war to end, but how it ends matters,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, emphasizing that Russia has no legal right to demand territorial concessions from Ukraine. “Ultimately, the terms of any agreement are for Ukraine to decide.”
Despite these assurances, European leaders were cautious in their public responses, as they sought to balance their support for Ukraine with their desire to avoid antagonizing Washington.
The proposed peace deal has raised alarms among European officials, who view the conflict as a direct threat to regional security. A European government official, speaking anonymously, expressed concern that a bad deal for Ukraine could undermine broader European security, particularly if it emboldens Russia to take further aggressive actions. “A bad deal for Ukraine is also a threat to all of Europe,” the official warned.
While European leaders have welcomed the US effort to push for peace, they are keen to ensure that Ukraine remains in a position to defend itself against Russian aggression. The four leaders stressed that any peace agreement must guarantee Ukraine’s ability to protect its sovereignty, with the European Council President, Antonio Costa, saying, “The EU has not been communicated with about any plans in an official manner.”
As negotiations continue, the violence on the ground shows no sign of abating. On Friday, a Russian glide bomb struck the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, killing five people and injuring 10 others, including a teenage girl. The attack damaged high-rise apartments and a local market. Additionally, a Russian drone assault targeted the city of Odesa, injuring five more people, including a 16-year-old boy.
These continued Russian attacks underscore the urgency of finding a solution to the conflict, as the Ukrainian people continue to suffer from relentless bombardment, particularly in civilian areas.
Ukrainian officials have been carefully reviewing the US peace plan, with Zelensky indicating that further talks with President Trump will take place in the coming days. However, Ukrainian officials, including top adviser Rustem Umerov, have denied reports suggesting that the plan had already been agreed upon. “We are thoughtfully processing the partners’ proposals within the framework of Ukraine’s unchanging principles—sovereignty, people’s security, and a just peace,” Umerov said.
The Kremlin has responded cautiously to the US proposal, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Russia has not officially received the plan and that no substantive discussions have taken place.
As Ukraine faces pressure from both the US and Russia, the next steps in this ongoing conflict are uncertain. With the country at a critical juncture, President Zelensky has vowed to stand firm in defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty, but also acknowledged that Ukraine’s future could depend on the choices made in the coming days. The stakes are high, and the outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching implications for Ukraine’s security and its relationship with key international partners, particularly the United States and the European Union.