WASHINGTON— The diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine reached a flashpoint this week, as US President Donald Trump imposed a firm deadline for Kyiv to accept a controversial US-drafted peace plan, a move that immediately drew a positive reaction from the Kremlin.
President Trump warned on Friday that Ukraine would lose more territory \”in a short amount of time\” and confirmed he had given President Volodymyr Zelenskyy until to approve the deal, which he described as an \”appropriate\” deadline.
The leaked proposal, which has prompted alarm among European allies, demands painful concessions from Ukraine:
Kyiv would be required to cut the size of its military and formally pledge not to join the NATO military alliance, a long-held Russian demand.
Ukrainian troops would withdraw from the parts of the eastern Donetsk region they currently control, cementing Russia\’s control over approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.
In return, the plan offers Ukraine \”reliable security guarantees\” (though unspecified) and proposes Russia\’s reintegration into the global economy through the lifting of sanctions.
During a security cabinet meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed receipt of the US proposal, stating it \”could be the basis\” for a settlement. Putin added that Russia was willing to \”show flexibility\” but was also prepared to fight on, adding to the pressure on Kyiv.
Ukraine\’s difficult position is amplified by its reliance on the US. Kyiv is critically dependent on deliveries of US-manufactured advanced weaponry, including air defense systems, and intelligence provided by Washington.
US Vice-President JD Vance reinforced the administration\’s stance, calling it a \”fantasy that if we just give more money, more weapons, or more sanctions, victory is at hand.\”
President Zelenskyy, acknowledging the extreme pressure, warned that Ukraine faces \”one of the most difficult moments in our history\” and may face \”a very difficult choice: either losing dignity, or risk losing a key partner.\”
In response, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that G20 allies would meet in South Africa to discuss how to \”strengthen\” the plan in support of a \”just and lasting peace.\”
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