The Peace Deal That Could Break Ukraine.

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is under immense pressure regarding a US-proposed 28-point peace plan to end the conflict with Russia, which includes controversial terms like Ukraine potentially ceding territory and renouncing NATO membership. Zelensky expressed that he will not betray his country’s dignity, but acknowledged the “very difficult choice” of risking the loss of the United States as a key partner if Kyiv does not accept the deal. Although the US, through President Trump, has set a loose Thanksgiving deadline for a response and says they only want the “killing to stop,” the Kremlin claims to have received nothing official regarding the plan, which is widely interpreted as favouring Russian terms. Ultimately, Zelensky is attempting to strike a delicate balance by promising to constructively work with the US on the proposal while presenting alternatives to protect Ukraine’s interests.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv is prepared for “clear and honest work” on a U.S.-drafted peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. His comments follow a meeting this week with a high-level American delegation that presented a series of draft proposals — including elements reported to have been shaped jointly by Washington and Moscow.

Zelenskyy told Ukrainians he expects to speak directly with U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming days about the plan, while firmly restating that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable.

📄 The 28-Point Peace Plan: What’s in It?

Reports suggest the U.S.–Russia proposal includes highly controversial terms:

• Ukraine ceding parts of the Donbas region
• Major cuts to Ukraine’s armed forces, from 900,000 to roughly 600,000
• A ban on NATO troops inside Ukraine
• Security arrangements that critics say leave Kyiv exposed

Zelenskyy did not publicly confirm specific items but made clear that any peace must “respect independence, sovereignty, and the dignity of the Ukrainian people.”

🇺🇸 U.S. Pressure Builds as Trump Seeks Breakthrough

Washington is pushing for visible progress and wants Ukraine to engage openly. Trump, fresh from negotiating a Middle East ceasefire, is reportedly eager to secure another major diplomatic victory.

Zelenskyy has struck a cautious tone:

“We are fully aware that America’s strength and America’s support can truly bring peace closer — and we do not want to lose that.”

Despite U.S. urgency, the Kremlin says it has received no official proposal, though it claims to remain “open to talks.”

🇪🇺 Europe Wants a Seat at the Table

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Europe must be included in peace negotiations.

“In this war, there is one aggressor and one victim. We haven’t heard of any concessions from Russia.”

European officials fear any U.S.–Russia deal without EU oversight could compromise European security in the long term.

⚠️ Analysts Issue Sharp Warnings

Experts say the draft deal, as described in media reports, would undermine Ukraine’s future ability to defend itself.

Guntram Wolff (Bruegel Institute) said the plan:

• “Would leave Ukraine totally vulnerable to a renewed Russian attack.”
• Reducing Ukraine’s military size and preventing troop deployments “makes no strategic sense.”

Michael O’Hanlon (Brookings Institution) was even more critical:

“Giving up land voluntarily, after Russia seized 19% of Ukraine since 2014, is completely illegitimate.”

He added that the most dangerous part of the proposal is not the territorial concession — but restricting Ukraine’s right to build its own defense.

🧭 What Comes Next?

Negotiations will continue in Kyiv between Ukrainian officials and U.S. representatives. Zelenskyy maintains Ukraine will not make “sharp statements” and will approach talks constructively — but only within Ukraine’s principles:

• Sovereignty
• Safety of Ukrainians
• A just peace
• No forced territorial surrender

The coming days — and Zelenskyy’s call with Trump — may shape the next phase of the war.