Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a “somber speech” warning the nation faces an “impossible choice” between national dignity and political defeat via a US-backed peace plan demanding territorial cessions to Russia. The proposal is universally condemned by officials in Kyiv and Europe as total capitulation.
The pressure is extreme due to Donald Trump’s arbitrary timeline, setting Thanksgiving next Thursday as the “acceptable deadline” for Ukraine to sign the agreement. This swift ultimatum has intensified concern across Europe, where leaders view the terms as dangerously one-sided, requiring major concessions that would severely compromise Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
Outside the presidential palace, Zelenskyy outlined the profound dilemma: preserve sovereignty or risk the loss of crucial support from a US administration actively pushing for Moscow-aligned terms. He noted the immediate logistical choice is between signing the deal or enduring an “extremely difficult winter.”
The President passionately argued that accepting the deal would strip Ukraine of its freedom, dignity, and justice. He issued a grave warning against trusting Russia, referencing the historical fact of two invasions. He vowed to protect the constitution and never betray his people, proudly referencing the national refusal to surrender in 2022.
European leaders quickly provided a necessary counterweight, rejecting Trump’s proposed map, which would compel Ukraine to surrender key urban centers and military resources. They demanded that any sustainable peace must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and must start from the existing line of contact, decisively rejecting terms dictated by Russia.