As the war in Ukraine grinds through its fourth year, a leaked 28-point US peace proposal has thrust Kyiv into a dilemma that could reshape the future of Eastern Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a somber address to his nation on November 21, 2025, warned that Ukraine is now facing "one of the most difficult moments in our history," caught between the risk of losing its dignity and the risk of losing its most crucial partner—the United States.
The US-backed proposal, first reported by major outlets including the BBC and Deutsche Welle, calls for Ukraine to cede significant eastern territories, cap its military at 600,000 personnel, and formally renounce its ambition to join NATO. In return, Ukraine would receive unspecified "robust security guarantees," while Russia would be promised a path back into the global economic fold, including an invitation to rejoin what would become the G8.
For many in Kyiv and beyond, the plan feels heavily weighted in Moscow's favor. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to his security council, described the document as a "basis for a final peaceful settlement," but made clear that Russia was prepared to continue its military campaign if Kyiv refused. "If Kyiv does not want to discuss President Trump's proposal and refuses to do so, then both they and the European warmongers should understand that the events that took place in Kupiansk will inevitably be repeated in other key sectors of the front," Putin warned, referencing recent Russian claims of capturing the strategic city of Kupiansk—a claim Ukraine has denied.
US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has taken a hard line, telling reporters at the White House, "He'll have to like it, and if he doesn't like it, then you know, they should just keep fighting." Trump set a deadline of November 27—Thanksgiving in the US—for Zelenskyy to accept the deal, though he noted that deadlines could be extended if "things are working well." "At some point he's going to have to accept something," Trump added, emphasizing his desire to end the conflict swiftly.
The proposal has sent shockwaves through Ukraine's government and society. In his ten-minute address, Zelenskyy urged his compatriots to remain united, warning of "a lot of pressure... to weaken us, to divide us." He insisted, "Our national interest must be taken into account," and promised to work "calmly" with the US and other partners to find alternatives. "We will definitely not give the enemy any reason to say that Ukraine does not want peace, that it is disrupting the process and that Ukraine is not ready for diplomacy," he said, according to DW.
Behind the scenes, European leaders have scrambled to respond. On Friday, Zelenskyy held a joint call with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The trio assured Zelenskyy of their "full and unwavering" support, emphasizing that any solution must preserve Ukraine's sovereignty and guarantee its security. Sir Keir Starmer stated that Ukraine's allies "remain committed to securing a just and lasting peace once and for all," and indicated that the G20 summit in Johannesburg would be a forum for further discussion and possible strengthening of the plan.
European leaders are also working on an alternative peace proposal, one that would be less favorable to Moscow. German Chancellor Merz, after a "good and confidential phone call" with President Trump, said that both sides had agreed on next steps at the advisor level. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed the need for "solid security guarantees" for Ukraine, while the presidents of the European Council and Commission reiterated that "there should be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine." According to Reuters, Germany, France, and the UK are actively consulting on their own counter-proposal.
The US, for its part, has pushed back on claims that Ukraine was excluded from the drafting process. A senior US official told CBS News that the plan was drawn up "immediately" after discussions with Ukraine's top security official, Rustem Umerov, and that Umerov made several modifications before presenting it to Zelenskyy. Nevertheless, both Ukrainian and Russian officials have said they were not formally consulted on the final draft, fueling suspicion and resentment on both sides.
The plan itself is stark: Ukrainian troops would withdraw from areas of Donetsk still under Kyiv's control, while Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea—annexed by Russia in 2014—would be recognized as de facto Russian territories. The borders of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen along current battle lines, solidifying Russia's hold over about 20% of Ukraine's territory. In exchange, Ukraine would receive "reliable security guarantees," though the details remain vague. The plan also calls for Russia to refrain from invading its neighbors and for NATO to halt further expansion.
Reactions among Ukrainians have been defiant. The widow of a Ukrainian soldier told the BBC, "This is not a peace plan, it is a plan to continue the war." Another resident from an occupied territory said, "I'm trying to keep my sanity here in the conditions of constant propaganda that Ukraine has forgotten us. I hope they will not sign this."
On the Russian side, the Kremlin has denied being consulted on the US plan, though Putin has welcomed elements that align with Moscow's long-standing demands. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted, "The effective work of the Russian armed forces should convince Zelenskyy: it is better to negotiate and do it now rather than later." He warned that as Russian advances continue, "the space for the freedom of decision-making is shrinking for him [Zelenskyy] as territories are lost during offensive actions by the Russian army."
Complicating matters further, Ukraine is grappling with a domestic crisis: a $100 million corruption scandal involving top officials has rocked public trust in the government. Meanwhile, missile and drone strikes continue to batter Ukraine's energy infrastructure as the country braces for another harsh winter.
Amid these trials, Zelenskyy has sought to maintain open lines with Washington. He spoke for nearly an hour with US Vice President JD Vance and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, affirming Ukraine's respect for Trump's efforts to end the war and agreeing to work with US and European partners toward a "dignified and truly effective" peace. Kyiv is also reportedly seeking a direct summit between Zelenskyy and Trump to discuss the plan face-to-face, according to DW.
As the G20 summit opens in Johannesburg, the fate of Ukraine—and the wider European security order—may well hang on the outcome of these frantic days of negotiation. Whether Kyiv can secure a peace that preserves both its sovereignty and its dignity remains to be seen, but the stakes could hardly be higher.
