President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Ukrainian people on Friday and said President Trump's 28-point peace plan will force Ukraine to choose between "losing our dignity" or risking the loss of U.S. support.
Why it matters: The plan would force Ukraine to accept harsh concessions, including the loss of even more territory than Russia currently controls. Zelensky has told the Trump administration he's prepared to negotiate, but the White House is pushing him to sign within one week.
What he's saying: "This is one of the most difficult moments in our history," Zelensky said in his video address, according to translations published by multiple media outlets.
- "The pressure on Ukraine is now among the heaviest. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice: the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner."
- Zelensky warned that Ukraine faces an "extremely harsh winter" if he spurns Trump's offer.
- He said U.S. officials "expect an answer from us."
Between the lines: Given his claim that accepting the current deal would force Ukraine to accept "life without freedom, without dignity, without justice," it doesn't sound as though his answer can possibly be yes.
- However, he said he would work with the U.S. to find solutions: "I will provide arguments, I will persuade, propose alternatives."
- Zelensky made clear he will be leaning heavily on European support as he comes under intense pressure from the US.
Driving the news: Zelensky spoke by phone on Friday with the leaders of France, Germany and the U.K., all of whom are helping Ukraine shape its response to the U.S. plan and come up with alternative proposals.
- "We remember Europe was with us. We believe Europe will be with us," Zelensky said in his speech.
- Zelensky also spoke with Vice President Vance on Friday. The White House has made clear it wants him to sign by Thanksgiving, two sources told Axios' Barak Ravid.
- A senior White House official claimed the U.S. security guarantee on offer in the plan is a "big win" for Zelensky, and contended that Ukraine is likely to lose the territory it's being asked to give up if the war continues.
The intrigue: The showdown with Trump comes as a spiraling corruption scandal implicating some of his close associates piles political pressure on Zelensky.
- A U.S. official told Axios the domestic scandal could make Zelensky more willing to make difficult concessions for peace. Some analysts think the opposite — that the uncertainty surrounding his political future means he can't afford to be seen as selling out to Moscow.
- In his speech, Zelensky appealed for unity and for Ukrainians to focus on the threat from Russia.
