Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky struck a dramatic tone as he appealed to the people of his country following intense pressure from the American side to accept Donald Trump’s 28-point peace plan.

“This is one of the most difficult moments in our history. Right now, Ukraine may be confronted with a very harsh choice: either the loss of its dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner,” Zelensky stressed, adding that he will not betray Ukraine’s national interest and that he will work quickly and effectively with the United States.

Zelensky told citizens that the country is being asked to choose “either the difficult 28 points, or an exceptionally hard winter — the hardest — and further risks.”

“Right now, the pressure on Ukraine is among the heaviest,” he admitted, announcing a constructive search for solutions with the US. “I will present arguments, I will persuade and propose alternatives, but we will not give the enemy any grounds to say that it is Ukraine that does not want peace. That will not happen,” he said.

His statements come after reports that the US wants the peace agreement signed by next Thursday, November 27, Thanksgiving Day, and after the release of a draft of the 28-point plan, which indicates that Kyiv would have to make particularly harsh concessions.

Zelensky–Vance call expected; Washington considering changes requested by Kyiv

Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to speak later on Friday with US Vice President J.D. Vance, regarding Washington’s plan to end the war, according to a report by Axios.

The report notes that the exact time and details of the call have not yet been determined, but the agenda concerns exclusively the peace framework being prepared by the US administration. At the same time, according to The Washington Post, Washington is considering modifications to the plan following requests from the Ukrainian side. Sources in the US administration said that Zelensky submitted specific “revision requests” during his meeting with US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.

As the newspaper reports, Driscoll’s team judged that some changes are feasible, although Kyiv has not yet clarified which points should be modified. A US source подчеркнул that reaching an agreement “acceptable to Ukraine” may require “months of careful negotiations,” describing the publication of the plan as “the beginning, not the end, of the peace process.”

According to the same information, the plan must be signed by both US President Donald Trump and Zelensky before being presented to the Russian leadership.

The Washington Post also notes that the US has split the negotiating teams of Army Secretary Driscoll and the President’s special envoy, Steven Witkoff, so that they operate with different tactics in talks with the Ukrainian side, following the logic of the “good cop, bad cop” negotiator.