Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is navigating an “impossible dilemma,” facing the risk of losing crucial US support if he rejects Donald Trump’s controversial peace deal demanding territorial cessions to Russia. Zelenskyy warns this is one of the most difficult periods in his nation’s history, with officials calling the US-backed proposal outright capitulation.
The pressure is extreme due to Trump’s arbitrary deadline, setting Thanksgiving next Thursday as the “acceptable deadline” for Ukraine to sign the agreement. This swift ultimatum has intensified concern across Europe, where leaders argue the terms are dangerously one-sided, demanding major concessions that would severely compromise Ukraine’s defensive posture.
In a somber address outside the presidential palace, Zelenskyy articulated the stark choice: choose to preserve national dignity or concede to terms heavily influenced by Russia under pressure from a powerful US administration. He noted the immediate logistical choice is between signing the deal or preparing for an “extremely difficult winter.”
The President passionately argued that accepting the deal would strip Ukraine of its freedom, dignity, and justice. He issued a grave warning against trusting Russia, referencing the historical fact of two invasions. He vowed to protect the constitution and never betray his people, recalling the spirit of the refusal to surrender in 2022.
European leaders immediately rejected Trump’s proposed map, which would compel Ukraine to surrender key urban centers and reduce its military strength. They stood united, demanding that any durable peace must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and must be negotiated from the existing line of contact, decisively rejecting terms dictated by Russia.