Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a somber warning to his citizens during a televised address on Friday, November 21, 2025, describing the current period as one of the most precarious in the nation’s history.
He characterized the choice ahead as a painful trade-off between preserving national dignity and maintaining the essential partnership with the United States. This warning follows the introduction of a 28-point peace proposal from the Trump administration, which initially set a Thanksgiving deadline for Kyiv’s acceptance. Failure to comply reportedly carries the risk of a total suspension of American military aid and intelligence sharing.
The proposed U.S. framework has faced sharp criticism from European allies who argue it disproportionately favors the Kremlin. Key elements of the draft reportedly include the de facto recognition of Russian control over Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk, along with a mandate to cap the Ukrainian military at 600,000 personnel.
Furthermore, the plan requires Ukraine to formally abandon its NATO aspirations, though it leaves the door open for potential European Union membership. To compensate for these concessions, the U.S. has suggested “Article 5-style” security guarantees, though their long-term validity remains a point of deep skepticism among European leaders.
Global reactions have highlighted a significant divide in the international community. While the proposal dominated the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the plan as a viable foundation for negotiations.
Conversely, European leaders have moved to bolster Ukraine’s standing. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted that any resolution must be just and enduring without rewarding aggression, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz dismissed the proposal as a “surrender ultimatum,” demanding that European voices be central to the process. French President Emmanuel Macron also voiced concerns about a potential territorial betrayal and has proposed a European “reassurance force” to monitor any eventual ceasefire.
The path forward remains fluid as diplomatic efforts shift to Berlin. Reports from mid-December suggest that significant revisions to the original 28-point plan are underway, with updated drafts proposing a higher military cap of 800,000 troops and the introduction of a European-led multinational monitoring force.
President Zelensky has maintained a disciplined and pragmatic stance, indicating that he is focused on developing alternative proposals that protect Ukrainian sovereignty while acknowledging the American push for an end to the conflict.
