Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has framed the territorial cessions demanded by Donald Trump’s peace deal as a “betrayal of the constitution,” warning the country faces an “impossible choice” to accept the US-backed plan or risk losing crucial support. The proposal is condemned by Kyiv and European officials as total capitulation.
The crisis is exacerbated by Trump’s demand for speed, identifying Thanksgiving next Thursday as the “acceptable deadline” for Ukraine to sign the agreement. This aggressive timeline has caused deep concern across Europe, where leaders view the terms as dangerously one-sided, requiring major concessions that would fundamentally weaken Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
In a resolute speech, Zelenskyy outlined the nation’s profound challenge: maintain national dignity or accept Moscow’s terms under pressure from a powerful US administration. He stated the immediate choice is between signing the deal and enduring 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, proudly referencing the national refusal to surrender in 2022.
European leaders quickly provided a necessary counterweight, rejecting Trump’s proposed map, which would force Kyiv to abandon key urban centers and military resources. They demanded that any sustainable peace must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and must be negotiated from the existing line of contact, explicitly rejecting Russia’s dictated demands.