President Donald Trump said on Friday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must approve a proposed peace plan between Russia and Ukraine before it can take effect, giving him a Thanksgiving deadline to do so.
However, Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine could lose its dignity — and potentially the support of the United States as a key international ally, if it accepts the agreement as presented.
A U.S. official told Scripps News that it was “strongly implied” the United States expects Ukraine to agree to the deal and that any final adjustments would be determined “by the president himself.”
The White House says it has been working quietly on the proposal for the past month. Zelenskyy met on Friday with Vice President Vance and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to discuss its terms.
“We have a plan. It’s horrible what’s happening. It’s a war that should never have happened, and would never have happened if I were president,” Trump said. “We think we have a way of getting peace. [Zelenskyy is] going to have to approve it.”
Circulated elements of the proposal, which Scripps News has not independently verified, suggest Ukraine would be asked to surrender portions of eastern territory, including the Donbas, as well as areas currently under Kyiv’s control.
Ukraine would also be required to limit the size of its military and forgo NATO membership in exchange for U.S. security guarantees.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the proposal could serve as a “basis” for a peace agreement, though he denied that Russia is engaged in substantive negotiations.
Meanwhile, European allies and NATO partners are consulting with Ukraine on the development and are expected to meet on the sidelines of the upcoming G20 summit, which President Trump is not expected to attend.
