Zelenskiy vows not to betray Ukraine after US presents plan demanding concessions [View all]

Source: Reuters

Zelenskiy vows not to betray Ukraine after US presents plan demanding concessions

By Tom Balmforth and Olena Harmash
November 21, 2025 10:55 AM EST Updated 1 hour ago

Summary
* Two sources say US gives Kyiv one-week deadline to accept framework
* Washington threatens to withhold intelligence, weapons unless Kyiv makes deal
* Kremlin says Kyiv should make 'responsible decision' now
* White House says plan was hammered out by Rubio, Witkoff

KYIV, Nov 21 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appealed to Ukrainians for unity on Friday and vowed he would never betray Ukraine, in a solemn address to the nation after the United States presented Kyiv with a peace plan that endorses key Russian demands.

Speaking in the street outside his office, a location he uses only rarely for major addresses, Zelenskiy said Ukraine was trying to preserve its freedom while retaining the support of its most important ally.

"Now is one of the most difficult moments of our history. Now, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the heaviest. Now, Ukraine can face a very difficult choice — either losing dignity or risk losing a major partner," he said. ... "I will fight 24/7 to ensure that at least two points in the plan are not overlooked – the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians," Zelenskiy said.

Washington has presented Kyiv with a 28-point plan, which calls for Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits to its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/top-ukraine-security-official-denies-accepting-terms-trumps-peace-plan-2025-11-21/