Zelensky Faces Existential Choice as Trump Pushes 28‑Point Peace Plan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning: his country is at a crossroads. A newly revealed 28-point peace plan, drafted by the United States and Russia, is putting intense pressure on Kyiv — and Zelensky says the choices facing Ukraine could determine not just its future but its dignity.

A High-Stakes Ultimatum

Former US President Donald Trump has pressed Zelensky to accept the proposal by Thanksgiving, signaling that the alternative is to “continue to fight his little heart out.”
The plan is sweeping. According to multiple sources, it would force Ukraine to:

• Cede parts of Donbas to Russia.
• Shrink its military significantly.
• Rule out future NATO membership, at least under current terms.

In return, the US would offer security guarantees loosely modeled on NATO’s Article 5 — though critics say the details remain vague.
Further, the plan envisions using frozen Russian assets — about $100 billion — to rebuild Ukraine, with Europe matching the sum.

Zelensky’s Dilemma: Dignity or Dependency

In a somber public address, Zelensky described the choice as “one of the most difficult moments in our history.”
He framed it as a choice between national dignity and losing a key partner in the United States.

Zelensky stressed that any deal must preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty, and that he will not sign something that betrays the country’s constitution or long-term interests.
He also pledged to work “calmly and constructively” with the Americans, offering alternative ideas instead of outright rejecting the proposal.

Europe Pushes Back

European leaders, including France, Germany, and the UK, have expressed deep concern.
On the sidelines of a G20 meeting, they called for a counter-proposal — not to simply rubber-stamp the US-Russia plan.
Their objections focus on limiting Ukraine’s armed forces and the risk of leaving the country exposed in the long term.