The so-called 28 point plan requires Ukraine to give up parts of Donetsk it currently holds, cut its military to 600,000 and to forget about ever joining NATO.
15:24, Fri, Nov 21, 2025 Updated: 15:28, Fri, Nov 21, 2025
President Zelensky addresses the nation (Image: X social media)
Volodymyr Zelensky has sent his fellow Ukrainians a powerful and emotional message, as he faces pressure to cave in to Donald Trump's peace deal. The US President's close ally Steven Witkoff has been holding secret discussions with Kiriil Dmitriev - the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund.
The discussions have taken place behind the backs of both Ukraine and its Western allies, catching both by surprise when its details were revealed by the US news website Axios on Wednesday. The so-called 28 point plan requires Ukraine to give up parts of Donetsk it currently holds, cut its military to 600,000 and to forget about ever joining NATO. In return Kyiv has been given vague promises of security guarantees, as well as $100 billion in frozen Russian assets for reconstruction.
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Donald Trump is putting pressure on Zelensky to sign up to the deal (Image: Getty)
The peace plan has been roundly criticised by Western leaders and defence experts, as well as Ukrainian MPs who see it as a form of capitulation.
Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the plan represented no more than a "list of topics" and much more work needed to be done on the specifics.
Trump has reportedly given Zelensky until November 27 to agree to his pact with Putin, or face the consequences.
These could include an end to US military aid and the sharing of American intelligence.
In a social media video post, the embattled Zelesnky addressed his people directly, saying the country is living through "the most difficult moments in our history".
"Right now, Ukraine may face a very tough choice: either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner," he said. "Either a difficult 28-point plan, or an extremely harsh winter — the harshest one — and further risks ahead.
"A life without freedom, dignity, and justice, and being forced to trust someone who has already attacked us twice. They will be waiting for our answer.”
The timing of the peace deal announcement could not have come at a worse time for the Ukraine President, who is embroiled in a major corruption scandal.
Several people. including Zelesnky's close associates, have been implicated in an embezzlement scheme in the energy sector worth about $100m (£76m).
Meanwhile, the UK Prime MinisterKeir Starmer took part in a telephone conversation with France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Friedrich Merz to discuss Trump's latest proposals.
They reaffirmed their “unwavering and full support for Ukraine on the path to a lasting and just peace.”
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