US Peace Plan for Ukraine War Stirs Tension as Zelenskyy Faces Difficult Choice

A United States-backed framework to end the war in Ukraine is creating unease among European allies and putting significant pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who faces potentially painful concessions to Russia.

The diplomatic initiative, assembled by special envoy Steve Witkoff with input through both Kyiv and Moscow channels, appears to be moving forward rapidly, with President Donald Trump pushing to finalize the framework by the holiday season.

Zelenskyy delivered one of his starkest public messages yet on Friday, warning that Ukraine is entering “one of the most difficult moments in our history.” According to Reuters, the Ukrainian leader described intense pressure that may soon force his country to make “a very difficult choice: either losing its dignity or risking the loss of a key partner.”

“Either 28 difficult points or an extremely difficult winter — the most difficult one yet — and further risks. Life without freedom, without dignity, without justice,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukrainians are “expected to trust someone who has already attacked us twice.”

According to multiple reports, the working draft would require Ukraine to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia, limit long-range Western strikes inside Russia, and cap Ukraine’s armed forces at approximately 600,000 troops. These terms have reportedly alarmed Ukrainian officials, with one source telling Fox News Digital that Kyiv’s red lines include limits on NATO membership, territorial concessions, and troop reductions.

A former senior Ukrainian official described the draft’s terms as “political suicide” that would make Zelenskyy responsible “for the loss of about one-fifth of Ukraine.”

The White House has confirmed that Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been “quietly working” on the plan and engaging both sides. Ukraine has formally received the document, and Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine and the United States would “work on the provisions of the plan” with Kyiv ready for “constructive, honest and swift work.”

However, the Ukrainian president has repeatedly ruled out recognizing Russian sovereignty over any Ukrainian territory, stating earlier that there can be “no reward for waging war.”

During Thursday’s UN Security Council meeting, Ukraine’s Deputy Representative, Khrystyna Hayovyshyn, firmly rejected any settlement that compromises Ukraine’s sovereignty. “There will never be any recognition, formal or otherwise, of Ukrainian territory temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation as Russian. Our land is not for sale,” she declared.

Hayovyshyn emphasized that “Ukraine will not accept any limits on its right to self-defense or on the size and capabilities of our armed forces, nor will we tolerate any infringement on our sovereignty, including our sovereign right to choose the alliances we want to join.”

The Russian response has been measured. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that while Washington and Moscow are not yet discussing the proposals in detail, contacts were taking place. “There are certain ideas on the American side, but nothing substantive is currently being discussed. We are completely open — we maintain our openness to peace negotiations,” Peskov told reporters.

Meanwhile, European leaders appear to have been caught off guard by the U.S.-led initiative. The Associated Press reported that the leaders of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom spoke with Zelenskyy Friday to reaffirm their “unchanged and full support on the way to a lasting and just peace.” Many European diplomats first learned about the proposal through media reports. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly canceled a domestic appearance to hold crisis calls with both Zelenskyy and Trump.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz emphasized the urgency of diplomacy during a Security Council briefing Thursday, stating that it is “the only path to a durable and just peace.” Waltz said Washington has “proposed generous terms for Russia, including sanctions relief,” and promised that “under President Trump’s leadership, the United States will continue to pursue a path to peace in Ukraine.”

As negotiations continue, Zelenskyy has urged Ukrainians to remain disciplined. “We will not make any loud statements; we will work calmly with America and all our partners,” he said. “I will present arguments, I will persuade, I will offer alternatives, but we will definitely not give the enemy any reason to say that Ukraine does not want peace.”

Zelenskyy is expected to speak with Trump in the coming days to discuss the plan’s core points and Ukraine’s objections to certain provisions.