Ukraine’s Zelensky pushes back against Trump’s peace proposal requiring territorial concessions and army cuts, warning of difficult choices ahead.
KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected a US peace plan that would force Ukraine to make significant concessions to Russia.
Zelensky warned that Ukraine faces a difficult choice between “losing dignity” or potentially losing Washington as a key ally.
The proposal from President Donald Trump gives Ukraine less than a week to sign and includes many of Russia’s hardline demands.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin welcomed the blueprint, saying it could “lay the foundation” for a final peace settlement.
Putin threatened further land seizures if Ukraine walks away from negotiations, claiming recent captures would “inevitably be repeated.”
Zelensky pledged to work to ensure any deal would not “betray” Ukraine’s interests despite the pressure.
“We did not betray Ukraine then, we will not do so now,” Zelensky said in a national address.
The Ukrainian president promised to present arguments and propose alternatives to Trump’s 28-point plan.
The controversial proposal would force Ukraine to give up territory, cut its army to 600,000 troops, and pledge never to join NATO.
Russia would gain territory, be reintegrated into the global economy, and rejoin the G8 under the draft plan.
Trump set next Thursday as an “appropriate time” for Zelensky to agree to a deal but indicated flexibility.
“He’ll have to like it, and if he doesn’t like it, then you know, they should just keep fighting,” Trump told reporters.
Zelensky held emergency talks with German, French and British leaders as European allies were cut out of the process.
Britain, France and Germany stressed their “unwavering and full support for Ukraine” in a joint statement after the talks.
Putin revealed that an early version of the plan was discussed with Trump before their August meeting in Alaska.
The Russian leader said he told Trump that Russia was ready “to show flexibility” in resolving the conflict.
The White House has previously rejected accusations that it worked on the proposal with Moscow.
In Kyiv, residents were divided over whether to engage with the proposal or reject it as capitulation.
“Neither us nor Russia will make concessions,” predicted Yanina, a 41-year-old seamstress. – AFP
