Ukraine faces ‘difficult choice’ as Trump demands acceptance of peace plan

“DIGNITY AND FREEDOM OF UKRAINIANS”

Zelenskyy, who has rejected the plan’s terms in the past as capitulation, appealed to Ukrainians for unity and said he would never betray Ukraine.

“Now is one of the most difficult moments of our history,” he said in a solemn speech to the nation delivered in the street outside his office, a location he uses only rarely for major addresses.

“Now, Ukraine can face a very difficult choice, either losing dignity or risk losing a major partner,” he said, adding: “I will fight 24/7 to ensure that at least two points in the plan are not overlooked, the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians.”

Two sources told Reuters Washington had threatened to cut off intelligence sharing and weapons supplies to Ukraine if it does not accept the deal. They spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose the contents of private meetings.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, a senior US official later said it was not accurate to say the US threatened to withhold intelligence.

In his public remarks, Zelenskyy has appeared careful not to reject the US plan or to offend the Americans.

He held a phone call on Friday with the leaders of Britain, Germany and France, and later spoke to US Vice President JD Vance. He said he had agreed with Vance to have their advisers work “to find a workable path to peace”.

“We value the efforts of the United States, President Trump, and his team aimed at ending this war,” Zelenskyy said. “We are working on the document prepared by the American side. This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace.”

A poor deal for Ukraine could test the stability of its society after nearly four years of relentless warfare.

“Russia gets everything it wants and Ukraine gets not very much,” said Tim Ash of Britain’s Chatham House think tank. “If Zelenskyy accepts this, I anticipate huge political, social and economic instability in Ukraine.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on X he spoke with Trump by phone about the peace plan on Friday evening. He called it “a good and confidential phone call” in which they had “agreed on the next steps at the advisors’ level.”