Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a grave warning that Kyiv faces a critical juncture regarding a leaked US peace plan to end the war with Russia. Addressing the nation on Dignity and Freedom Day, Zelensky stated Ukraine might confront a "very difficult choice: either losing dignity, or risk losing a key partner," marking it as one of the most challenging moments in the country's history.

The controversial US draft peace plan, which has been widely leaked, includes proposals that Kyiv had previously rejected. These provisions are seen as heavily favoring Russia, suggesting Ukraine cede eastern territories it currently controls, significantly reduce its army size to 600,000 personnel with European fighter jets stationed in neighboring Poland, and pledge not to join Nato. The plan also proposes de facto Russian control of Donetsk, Luhansk, and the Crimean peninsula, with the borders of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions frozen along current battle lines. Furthermore, it outlines "reliable security guarantees" for Kyiv, though details are unspecified, and expects Russia not to invade its neighbors while Nato halts further expansion. Crucially, the plan suggests Russia's reintegration into the global economy through the lifting of sanctions and an invitation to rejoin the G7, effectively making it the G8 again.

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged receipt of the plan, stating it could serve as a "basis" for a peace settlement, expressing willingness to "show flexibility" but also preparedness to continue fighting to achieve the "unconditional achievement of the aims of the special military operation." This comes as Russia claims small territorial gains in south-eastern Ukraine despite reported heavy combat casualties.

The United States is actively pressing Kyiv to accept the deal, with US President Donald Trump asserting that Zelensky would "have to like" the plan or face continued conflict. Trump, who seeks peace "now," has set an aggressive timeline, suggesting Ukraine agree by Thanksgiving (November 27), although deadlines could be extended. US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and US Vice-President JD Vance have been closely involved, with Driscoll briefing Nato ambassadors in Kyiv. According to a source present at the meeting, Driscoll conveyed that "no deal is perfect, but it must be done sooner rather than later," emphasizing the "you have no cards" argument against Ukraine.

European allies have expressed significant concern about being kept in the dark regarding the plan's content and format, fearing that Russia had too much influence in negotiating the draft agreement, which is being presented to Ukrainians as a fait accompli. Julie Davis, the US chargé d’affaires in Kyiv, reiterated the US stance to diplomats, stating that despite the punishing terms, Ukraine has little choice but to accept, as "the deal does not get better from here, it gets worse."

Zelensky, in his address, urged Ukrainians to remain united, stressing that the country's "national interest must be taken into account" amidst pressure to "weaken us, to divide us." He indicated that Ukraine would "be calmly working with America and all the partners... offering alternatives" to the proposed plan. He also mentioned receiving reassurance of continuous support during calls with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Public reaction in Ukraine has been defiant, with citizens both under and free of Russian occupation dismissing the proposal as "not a peace plan, it is a plan to continue the war."

The US plan emerged amidst Ukraine's critical dependence on US-made advanced weaponry and intelligence, and as Zelensky faces a domestic crisis involving a $100 million corruption scandal. While the White House has pushed back on claims that Ukraine was excluded from drafting the proposal, an unnamed US official indicated that the plan was drawn up after discussions with Ukraine's top security official Rustem Umerov, who reportedly agreed to most of it and made modifications before presenting it to Zelensky. The plan was reportedly drafted by Trump aide Steve Witkoff and Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev through a key back channel between Washington and Moscow.