KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Friday that Ukraine is entering one of the most critical weeks of the war, cautioning that the country may soon face a stark choice: preserve its dignity or risk losing its most important ally, the United States.
The tense warning came as the White House pushed Kyiv to approve a new 28-point peace framework aimed at ending Russia’s full-scale invasion. Three U.S. officials said the goal is for Ukraine to sign off on the plan by Thanksgiving, though they emphasized this is a target rather than a hard deadline.
U.S. Seeks Swift Progress on Controversial Peace Plan
The proposed framework—first reported by Axios—was developed after discussions with Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. A senior U.S. official claimed Umerov agreed to most of the plan after requesting several changes, and then presented it to Zelenskyy.
Umerov, however, firmly denied endorsing the plan.
“My role was purely technical—organizing meetings and preparing dialogue,” he said on X. “I provided no assessments or approvals. This is not within my authority.”
Officials in Washington say the plan reflects “five years of devastating war,” attempting to deliver a scenario where both sides gain more than they lose.
Zelenskyy: ‘One of the Hardest Moments in Our History’
In a somber 10-minute address to Ukrainians, Zelenskyy said the next week would be exceptionally difficult:
“Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice — either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner… either accepting the 28 difficult points or facing a very difficult winter.”
He urged national unity as Kyiv evaluates the proposal, which comes at a time of worsening battlefield pressure and political turmoil at home.
Zelenskyy also spoke urgently with the leaders of Britain, Germany and France, afterward stating he valued President Donald Trump’s efforts but stressed that Ukraine must ensure its principled positions are respected in any negotiations.
Plan Would Grant Russia Major Concessions
According to sources familiar with the document, the draft peace plan would require Ukraine to make sweeping concessions, amounting to what some experts describe as near-capitulation. Among the key points:
- Ukraine must surrender eastern Donbas, including areas currently under its control
- Ukraine must cap its military size
- Ukraine must permanently abandon its bid to join NATO
- Crimea recognized as de facto Russian, including by the U.S.
- Russia faces no major territorial penalties or military restrictions
At the same time, the plan offers Ukraine vague “security guarantees,” with no detailed commitments resembling NATO’s Article 5 protection.
European leaders were not consulted before the plan surfaced, sparking unease across the continent that a pressured settlement may embolden Russia further.
Moscow Responds With Caution — and Warnings
The Kremlin said it has not officially received the document but encouraged Ukraine to negotiate while it still can.
“The regime needs to make a responsible decision,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
President Vladimir Putin, appearing in military uniform, used the moment to attack Kyiv’s leadership, claiming a corruption scandal engulfing several Ukrainian officials proved the government was “sitting on golden pots.”
Putin himself and his government have long been implicated in extensive corruption.
Kyiv Faces Domestic Turmoil as Pressure Mounts
The emergence of the plan coincides with a turbulent political moment in Kyiv.
A $100 million corruption investigation has implicated several high-ranking figures, including Rustem Umerov, though he denies the allegations and has not been charged. Zelenskyy is not implicated.
Ukrainian officials say the timing is suspicious and believe Moscow may be trying to exploit a moment of perceived weakness.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces face growing challenges on the front lines, particularly around the strategic transport hub of Pokrovsk, where Russian troops have intensified pressure.
