Zelenskyy Weighs Dilemma: Ukraine's Critical Decision on US Proposal to Conclude Russia Conflict

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pushed back against a United States plan to end Russia’s invasion, while Russian leader Vladimir Putin welcomed the proposal, which endorses many key Russian demands.

US President Donald Trump has given Ukraine a week to accept the proposal, telling Fox News he believed Thursday was an appropriate deadline for Ukraine to accept the plan.

The US’ 28-point plan calls on Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits to its military, renounce ambitions to join NATO and hold snap elections.

Russia, meanwhile, would gain territory, be reintegrated into the global economy and rejoin the G8, under a draft of the plan.

Putin said on Saturday the US plan could be the foundation of a final resolution of the nearly four-year-old conflict, but threatened more land seizures if Ukraine walked away from negotiations.

He has previously refused to budge on Russia’s key territorial and security demands.

In a recent televised session with his security council, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Ukraine and its European allies for harboring what he described as “illusions” of dealing a strategic blow to Russia on the battlefield. Putin’s remarks underscore the ongoing tensions and conflicting perspectives over the conflict in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin, wearing a black suit and white shirt, in front of a red and blue wall.

Putin’s comments came as he expressed approval of a proposal from the United States that appears to align with several key demands put forth by Russia. This proposal has been a focal point of diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving the conflict, which continues to have widespread geopolitical ramifications.

In stark contrast to Putin’s stance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a heartfelt speech to his nation, urging Ukrainians to stand united. Speaking from a rarely used outdoor location outside his office, Zelenskyy vowed never to forsake Ukraine, emphasizing his commitment to the country’s sovereignty and future.

Ukraine has rejected the plan’s terms in the past as capitulation, and a deal on that basis could test the stability of Ukrainian society after nearly four years of relentless warfare.

Three sources told Reuters that Ukraine was working on a counter-proposal to the 28-point plan with the UK, France and Germany.

The Europeans have not been consulted on the US plan and have expressed strong support for Ukraine.

“We all want this war to end, but how it ends matters. Russia has no legal right whatsoever to any concessions from the country it invaded,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. “This is a very dangerous moment for all.”

In his address, Zelenskyy mentioned that he had reached an agreement with US officials, including discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s special envoy, Victoria Nuland, to explore a viable path to peace. This dialogue reflects ongoing efforts to broker a resolution that satisfies all parties involved.

Umerov “agreed to the majority of the plan, after making several modifications, and presented it to President Zelenskyy,” a senior U.S. official said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, US officials have defended their proposal, noting that it was formulated after extensive consultations with Rustem Umerov, the secretary of Ukraine’s national security and defense council. Umerov, a trusted ally of Zelenskyy, played a significant role in shaping the US approach, having served as Ukraine’s defense minister until July.

What’s in the proposed peace plan?

The US plan would require Ukraine to withdraw from territory it still controls in eastern provinces that Russia claims to have annexed, while Russia would give up smaller amounts of land it holds in other regions.

Ukraine would be permanently barred from joining the NATO military alliance, and its armed forces would be capped at 600,000 troops. NATO would agree never to station troops there.

Ukraine would also hold snap elections under the plan.

Sanctions against Russia would be gradually lifted, Moscow would be invited back into the G8 group of industrialised countries, and frozen Russian assets would be pooled in an investment fund, with the US given some of the profits.

One of Ukraine’s main demands, for enforceable guarantees equivalent to NATO’s mutual defence clause to deter Russia from attacking again, is dealt with in a single line with no details: “Ukraine will receive robust security guarantees.”

Trump said on Friday he expected the “powerful” sanctions to have their intended effect on Russia, adding: “Their whole economy is based on oil”.

He said he would not remove the sanctions before the implementation of the 28-point plan.