“We Will Not Betray Ukraine”: Zelensky Rebuffs US Plan for War End
Kyiv, Ukraine – November 21, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued an impassioned public address, firmly pushing back on a new United States-backed proposal to end the war, warning that he would not “betray” his country even if it meant risking a critical alliance with Washington.
In a filmed address on Friday, President Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine was facing “one of the most difficult moments in our history” and a choice between retaining its dignity or losing a key partner—the United States. He stressed that he would be “making arguments” and “offering alternatives” to the US-led proposal, which Kyiv views as a demand for capitulation.
The Proposal and the “Red Lines”
The peace plan, a 28-point proposal drafted by the administration of US President Donald Trump, was reportedly handed to Kyiv this week. Sources familiar with the draft, which was apparently developed in consultation with Russian officials, suggest it contains several major concessions that have long been “red lines” for Ukraine:
- Territorial Concessions: The plan reportedly calls for Ukraine to cede occupied territory, including recognition of Moscow-annexed Crimea and other occupied eastern regions as de-facto Russian. It also calls for Ukraine to surrender parts of the Donetsk region it still controls.
- Military Limitations: Kyiv would be required to significantly cut the size of its army (reportedly to 400,000 personnel), rule out ever joining NATO, and give up certain long-range weapons systems.
- Political Concessions: Reports indicate the plan may also require Ukraine to grant Russian official language status and formal status to the Russian Orthodox Church.
The deal, which also suggests allocating $100 billion in frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian reconstruction and providing unspecified security guarantees in exchange for an end to the conflict, has been widely described by Ukrainian officials as heavily “tilted towards Russia.”
Russia’s Response and the US Deadline
The proposal, which was drafted without the formal involvement of Kyiv or its European allies, has rattled European leaders, who fear it will reward Moscow’s aggression.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, has been bullish. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that President Zelensky should “negotiate now” or risk losing even more territory, asserting that the space for decision-making “is shrinking for him as territories are lost.”
US President Donald Trump has reportedly given the Ukrainian leader a deadline—the US Thanksgiving holiday on November 27—to respond to the peace plan.
In his address, President Zelensky was resolute, invoking the oath he took upon becoming president: “I… undertake to defend the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine with all my actions… We did not betray Ukraine then, we will not do so now.”
Zelensky confirmed he spoke with US Vice President JD Vance on Friday and plans to speak directly with President Trump in the “coming days” to lead a “constructive search for solutions” and offer his country’s counter-arguments.
