The Trump administration believes it is entering a decisive moment in its effort to pressure Ukraine into accepting a peace agreement, arguing that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is politically weakened at home and vulnerable due to a corruption scandal involving his close allies — the most serious threat to his leadership since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
“The Ukrainians will have to accept the deal given Zelenskyy’s weak position,” said a senior White House official, granted anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations.
President Donald Trump has reportedly given Zelenskyy until November 24 to sign the agreement or risk losing crucial U.S. military and intelligence support.
Trump has long stated his intention to end the war and has shifted between proposals that favor different sides, depending on what he believes gives him maximum leverage.
“It was clearly communicated to Ukraine that the United States expects them to agree to a peace deal,” a U.S. official said. “Any adjustments will be made solely by the president.”
Inside the Proposed Peace Plan
A 28-point proposal — circulating for weeks — would require Ukraine to surrender extensive territory to Russia and restrict the size of its military. In exchange, Ukraine would receive vague security assurances.
The proposal surfaced at a moment of political turmoil in Kyiv. While Zelenskyy is not implicated, the corruption scandal engulfing members of his inner circle has shaken public trust and destabilized his government. Trump officials believe this crisis may force the Ukrainian president to consider terms he previously rejected, even though they would:
- Permanently block Ukraine from joining NATO
- Recognize Crimea, Donbas, Luhansk, and parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as Russian territory
- Demand little in return from Moscow
Ukraine would, however, gain:
- EU approval to begin membership negotiations
- Massive reconstruction funds: $100 billion from Russia, $100 billion from Europe, and a U.S.–Russia joint reconstruction initiative
Meanwhile, Russia is slowly advancing on the battlefield, though at enormous cost, and Zelenskyy faces declining domestic support. Trump advisers see these factors aligning in their favor.
“Washington is speaking to Ukraine with a tone of pressure,” said a senior European official. “Signing is being framed as the only option.”
Zelenskyy Responds: ‘A Loss of Dignity or a Loss of a Partner’
In a national address Friday, Zelenskyy acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “We face a difficult choice,” he said. “Either accept painful terms, or endure an extremely harsh winter without essential support.”
He added that Ukraine is being asked to trust a nation that has already attacked it twice — a pointed reference to Russia.
Yet many European governments argue that Zelenskyy’s weakened political position makes it extremely difficult to convince Ukrainians to accept such a far-reaching deal. The proposal’s “security guarantee” lacks any clear plan for how the U.S. would respond if Russia violated the ceasefire.
Despite these concerns, Trump officials say Ukraine is unlikely to get a better offer.
“This is the strongest plan Ukraine can realistically hope for — with or without the corruption scandal,” said a second White House official.
Allies Scramble as Counterproposal Forms
Zelenskyy posted on X that he spoke with Vice President JD Vance and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll — who is leading U.S. diplomatic efforts — to work toward “a dignified and effective path to lasting peace.”
Driscoll is spending the weekend consulting NATO and European partners. France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine are now drafting a counterproposal, according to officials familiar with the talks.
European diplomats say several conditions of the Trump plan — including limits on Ukraine’s military enrollment — were previously unacceptable and “remain unacceptable today.”
The coming weeks may determine whether Ukraine enters peace talks under pressure or attempts to negotiate from a weakened but defiant position.
