Trump’s New Plan to End the Russia-Ukraine War—and Zelensky’s Response

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a filmed public address on Friday said his country has been met with "one of the most difficult moments" in its history as it faces a "choice" between losing its dignity or a key partner, the United States.

Zelensky's comments come a day after President Donald Trump and his Administration drafted a 28-point plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The widely-leaked proposal is said to propose Kyiv reduce its army and make land concessions—something Ukraine has previously staunchly ruled out as a possibility.

The Ukrainian leader—who has, at times, shared a contentious history with Trump—said he is determined to find a way to "work calmly with America and all partners."

Emphasizing that he won't betray his country's national interests, Zelensky said he will be "making arguments... offering alternatives."

Zelensky's address was published early Friday evening, local time, hours after he discussed the U.S.-penned proposal with his firm allies, President of France Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir_Starmer, and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

In an earlier address, published Thursday evening, Zelensky had highlighted the need for a “real and dignified peace”—one that “will not be broken by a third invasion,” with terms that “respect our independence, our sovereignty, and the independence of the Ukrainian people.”

In a statement shared with TIME on Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "As the Trump Administration has clearly said, any deal must provide full security guarantees and deterrence for Ukraine, Europe, and Russia to ensure the end of the war, in addition to financial opportunities for Ukraine to rebuild, and for Russia to rejoin the global economy, to benefit the people in both countries."

Leavitt added that the plan was formed "to find the best win-win scenario, where both parties gain more than they must give."

Trump's draft proposal, a copy of which has been published by the Associated Press, comes after meetings between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmitriev.

A long-time aim of Ukrainian Zelensky has also been shut down in the proposal, which reportedly includes a pledge that Ukraine won’t join NATO.

Ukraine’s pursuit for NATO membership has been widely documented and is a point of contention for Russia. At the annual NATO Summit earlier in June, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said: “NATO has no business in Ukraine. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, neither Russia, my job is to keep it as it is.”

Trump’s new plan also reportedly states that a dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the U.S., to resolve security issues and that no troops from the western security alliance will be stationed in Ukraine. The proposal also suggests that $100 billion in frozen Russian assets be invested in U.S.-led efforts to rebuild Ukraine.

In August, Trump told Zelensky to give up on the idea of Ukraine reclaiming Crimea or joining NATO. “President Zelensky of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,” Trump said via Truth Social, stating there was “no getting back” Crimea and “no going into NATO by Ukraine.”

Ahead of the new proposal leaking, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted on Wednesday that "a durable peace will require both sides to agree to difficult but necessary concessions."

"Ending a complex and deadly war such as the one in Ukraine requires an extensive exchange of serious and realistic ideas," he argued. "That is why we are and will continue to develop a list of potential ideas for ending this war based on input from both sides of this conflict."

European officials have since responded to the draft proposal, urging that Ukraine be at the center of any discussions moving forward.

“We are supportive of any plan that brings about a just and lasting peace,” said Kaja Kallas, the E.U. high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

“As for the peace plan we understand President Zelensky has been presented with, we have always said that for any peace plan to work, it has to be with Ukraine and with the Europeans on board,” Kallas emphasized on Friday morning.

President of the European council António Costa said that the E.U. has yet to review the proposal, but “remains fully committed to ensure an unwavering support to Ukraine based on the principles of the United Nations charter.”

Standing alongside Costa at the G20 summit in South Africa, president of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen said that Europe has “stood by Ukraine” since day one and will continue to do so.

Von der Leyen added that she will be holding talks with European leaders on the sidelines of the G20 summit, arguing that “nothing” can be discussed about Ukraine without the country’s active participation.

The E.U. announced its 19th package of sanctions on Russia last month, swiftly after the U.S. confirmed its own renewed set of measures against Moscow and its top oil companies.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of the Willing, composed of over 30 countries, has previously committed to deploying troops on the ground in Ukraine after a cease-fire, but the U.S. proposal looks to prevent such a peacekeeping force from being established, should it come into place.

Read More: Zelensky on Trump, Putin, and the Endgame in Ukraine

Russia said Friday that it has not received an official proposal from the U.S.

“If there is official information, materials will be transmitted through the appropriate channels—we always do so openly," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, according to Russian state media RIA Novosti.