The administration of former President Donald Trump has set a deadline for Ukraine to consider a peace agreement with Russia, intensifying the pressure on Kyiv amid ongoing conflict. As the situation escalates, U.S. officials have proposed a 28-point framework that incorporates several key demands from Moscow, raising concerns within Ukraine about territorial concessions and military limitations.
According to a report from The Guardian, the proposal requires Ukraine to surrender additional territory, restrict the size of its military, and abandon aspirations for NATO membership. These conditions have been described by Ukrainian and European officials as edging towards capitulation, putting the nation’s sovereignty at risk.
In recent discussions, U.S. officials warned Ukraine that intelligence sharing and military aid could be reduced if Kyiv does not agree to the terms. A senior U.S. military delegation met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on October 26, 2023, advocating for what they termed an “aggressive timeline” to finalize the agreement. The White House has not yet issued a formal comment regarding the proposal.
Ukraine’s Difficult Decision
In a grave address outside his office, Zelenskyy characterized the current moment as “one of the heaviest” since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He expressed that Ukraine is now faced with an “impossible choice”: to accept terms that could jeopardize its “freedom, dignity and justice,” or risk alienating a crucial ally eager to conclude the conflict.
Zelenskyy emphasized the difficulty of trusting a nation that has attacked Ukraine multiple times, referring specifically to Russia. He reaffirmed his commitment to uphold Ukraine’s constitution and interests, stating, “We did not betray Ukraine then [in 2022], and we will not do so now.”
Trump has indicated that Thanksgiving, on November 23, 2023, is an “acceptable” deadline for Ukraine to sign the proposed framework. This assertion adds urgency to the negotiations, which have already slowed amid Zelenskyy’s calls for broader sanctions on Russian oil.
In October, Zelenskyy urged the U.S. to expand its sanctions to encompass the entirety of the Russian oil industry, rather than limiting them to only a few companies. His remarks came as peace negotiations with Moscow stalled, a development that Trump criticized as “very disappointing.”
As pressure mounts on Ukraine to make a decision, the implications of this proposed deal could significantly alter the dynamics of the ongoing conflict, with profound effects on both regional stability and international relations.
