Key Developments
- Putin cautiously welcomes US peace plan as potential “final settlement”
- Zelenskyy warns Ukraine faces “very difficult choice” between dignity and partnerships
- Trump sets Thursday deadline for Ukraine’s response to 28-point proposal
- European leaders pledge continued support while expressing security concerns
Putin’s Cautious Welcome to US Peace Plan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautiously welcomed a US proposal to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine, suggesting it “could form the basis of a final peace settlement.” Speaking at Russia’s National Security Council meeting on Friday, Putin accused Kyiv of opposing the plan and described Ukraine’s position as unrealistic.
The US-developed plan includes many of Moscow’s long-standing demands: Ukraine would hand over territory to Russia, reduce its armed forces size, forgo NATO membership, while receiving limited security guarantees.
“The text has not been discussed with us in any substantive way, and I can guess why. Ukraine is against it. Apparently, Ukraine and its European allies are still under illusions and dream of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield,” Putin stated.
Zelenskyy’s Difficult Position
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the nation earlier, warning that Kyiv faces a “very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.” He emphasized Ukraine would engage with the United States and Europe while ensuring fair treatment.
Zelenskyy held nearly an hour-long discussion with US Vice President JD Vance and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on Friday to review the proposal.
“Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest,” Zelenskyy acknowledged. “Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.”
Trump’s Deadline Pressure
US President Donald Trump expects Ukraine to respond to the 28-point plan by Thursday, though he suggested flexibility if progress is being made.
“I’ve had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines. But Thursday is it — we think an appropriate time,” Trump told Fox News Radio.
The President stressed the proposals aim to stop the killing in Ukraine and aren’t intended to provoke further Russian conflict.
European Support and Concerns
European leaders have urged Ukraine to maintain strong defensive positions while cautiously supporting US peace efforts. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer all affirmed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty in calls with Zelenskyy.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called Russia’s invasion “an existential threat to Europe” and emphasized that Ukraine must decide any agreement terms. European officials expressed concern that the US plan, which they haven’t been formally briefed on, could weaken Ukraine’s strategic position and threaten broader European security.
Ukraine’s Deliberate Response
Ukrainian officials are carefully reviewing the proposals. Zelenskyy pledged to maintain Kyiv’s principles of sovereignty, people’s security, and just peace while continuing technical discussions with the United States.
“We are thoughtfully processing the partners’ proposals within the framework of Ukraine’s unchanging principles,” he affirmed.
The situation remains fluid as diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of Trump’s Thursday deadline.
