Ukraine faces a difficult choice over US peace deal talks: lose its dignity or lose a partner

By bne IntelliNews November 21, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recorded a video address to the nation saying Kyiv faces a difficult choice: the country could lose its dignity by accepting the plan, or it could refuse and lose a key partner.

Zelenskiy is under pressure from the Trump administration to sign off on a 28-point peace plan before Thanksgiving that would make major concessions to Russia, but could end the war.

“Either a difficult 28 points, or a very difficult winter,” Zelenskiy said.

He stated that Ukraine faces a difficult week of constant pressure. At the same time, the president noted that he would offer alternatives to the American plan. He has reportedly been working on a counter proposal together with his European allies. According to Zelenskiy, he will fight for every point to end the conflict, not all of Ukraine.

"There will be a constructive search with our main partner – the United States. I will present arguments, I will try to persuade, I will offer alternatives," he said.

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov later stated that Moscow had not yet officially received the new peace plan for Ukraine. He also emphasized that the Kremlin is learning some information from the media, despite ongoing contacts between Russia and the US. According to him, Moscow is aware of the modifications and approved wording.

The White House got out its stick the same day and threatened to cut Ukraine off from its intelligence and arms supplies if Bankova rejects a proposed 28-point peace plan floated earlier this week, Reuters reported citing two sources familiar with the talks on November 21.

Ukraine remains completely dependent on US satellite intelligence for real time reporting on Russia’s position on the battlefield, which is used to both target their positions for artillery and countering Russian assaults. The EU does not have this capability.

Trump also brought pressure to bear on Moscow, threatening “very powerful” sanctions on Russia if it does play ball. He also stated that he does not plan to lift his oil sanctions that target Russia’s two biggest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. Those sanctions are also due to go into effect imminently and could reduce the Kremlin’s income at a time when it is under increasing funding pressure.

Senator Lindsey Graham has refloated a bill to hit Russia’s business partners with 500% tariffs if they continue to buy Russian oil in defiance of sanctions, a bill that Trump as so far avoided backing.

 

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