'Won't Betray Ukraine': Zelenskyy Rejects US-Backed Peace Plan That Could See Kyiv Lose Territory

Last Updated:November 21, 2025, 23:27 IST

This came after the Trump administration and Russian officials drafted a peace proposal that could see Ukraine ceding eastern Donbas and cut its armed forces size by half.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday rebuffed a US-backed proposal for ending the war that could see Kyiv lose swathes of territory captured by Russian forces, acknowledging that he risked losing Washington as an ally but won’t betray Ukraine.

In an address to the nation published on social media, Zelenskyy said he would propose “alternatives" to US President Donald Trump’s 28-point plan that could see Kyiv give up the entire Donbas region and cut its armed forces by half.

The proposal took Ukraine and its European allies by surprise as it will not only force Ukraine to capitulate by giving up land and cutting its army, but also close all routes for Kyiv’s ascension to NATO. On the other hand, Russia would gain territory, get reintegrated into the global economy and rejoin the G8.

“I will present arguments, I will persuade, I will propose alternatives," Zelenskyy said, recalling how he marshalled Kyiv’s response to the Russian invasion in February 2022. “We did not betray Ukraine then, we will not do so now."

“Right now is one of the most difficult moments in our history. The pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest. Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner," he said, warning of a complete break with Washington.

Trump’s Ultimatum To Ukraine

Meanwhile, Trump confirmed on Friday that his administration has set a deadline for next Thursday for Ukraine to agree to the White House’s plan to end the nearly four-year war.

“I’ve had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend deadlines. But Thursday is it," he told Fox News. Trump also said that he did not plan to pull back sanctions placed on Russia, but asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not looking for more war".

Apart from Ukraine, its major European allies — Germany, France, and the UK — have also rejected key parts of a proposed US-Russian peace plan. Zelenskyy held a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK PM Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who agreed that Ukraine must keep strong defensive capabilities and that any peace talks should start from the current front line, not terms favoured by Moscow, Bloomberg reported.

“We discussed the plan for peace for Ukraine and all of Europe. We value the efforts of the United States, President Trump, and his team aimed at ending this war. We are working on the document prepared by the American side. This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace," Zelenskyy said on X.

The Ukrainian President also held talks with US Vice President JD Vance and plans to speak directly to Trump in the “coming days", according to his office.

Meanwhile, EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen – after speaking to Zelenskyy – said European leaders will meet tomorrow in the margins of the G20 Summit in South Africa and then in Angola at the EU-African Union meeting to discuss a just and sustainable peace for Ukraine.

Trump’s Plan Sparks Concerns

The US plan envisages recognising Moscow-annexed Crimea and occupied eastern Ukraine as “de-facto" Russian, also requiring Kyiv to pull out from parts of the Donetsk region that it still controls, all clear red lines for Ukraine.

Kyiv would also cap the size of its army to 600,000, rule out ever joining NATO and have no NATO troops deployed to its territory. In return, it would get unspecified “reliable security guarantees" and a fund for reconstruction using parts of Russia’s frozen assets.

Trump’s administration has rejected accusations that it worked on the proposal with Moscow, which, in turn, said it had not officially received the draft. The White House insists that it was a “good plan" for both Russia and Ukraine.

Two sources told Reuters on Wednesday that Washington had signalled to Zelenskyy that Ukraine must accept the US-drafted framework to end the nearly four-year-old war, even though these conditions are a red line for Kyiv.

(with inputs from agencies)

News world 'Won't Betray Ukraine': Zelenskyy Rejects US-Backed Peace Plan That Could See Kyiv Lose Territory

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