Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a grave message to the nation on Friday, stating that Ukraine faces a challenging decision between maintaining dignity or risking the loss of a crucial ally. In a video address from a rain-soaked Kyiv, he described the current period as one of the most difficult in Ukraine's history. Zelenskyy emphasized that the country must choose between enduring an "extremely difficult winter" or living without freedom, dignity, and justice.

His remarks came in response to a newly revealed 28-point peace plan, developed by top American officials in collaboration with Russia, without input from Ukraine or European nations. The plan has raised alarm among allies, who are concerned about its terms, which many view as favoring the Kremlin and effectively demanding Ukraine's capitulation. U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Zelenskyy to sign the plan by next Thursday, warning that failure to do so could jeopardize American support.

The plan's details, which have been met with widespread criticism, include significant territorial concessions from Ukraine. It proposes that Ukraine cede the remainder of its Donetsk province, where key defensive positions are located, and establish a demilitarized buffer zone that Russian forces would not enter. Additionally, the frontlines in the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson provinces would be frozen, and all occupied territories, including Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea, would be recognized as Russian territory.

Under the proposed terms, Ukraine's military would be limited to 600,000 personnel, a reduction of 25 percent from current levels, while no restrictions would be placed on the size of Russia's military. The plan also stipulates that Ukraine would be prohibited from joining NATO or hosting NATO troops, effectively barring any European-led peacekeeping forces from operating in the country. In contrast, Russia would face no reciprocal limitations on its alliances.

The plan includes provisions for "reliable security guarantees" from the United States, although the specifics remain unclear. These guarantees would be contingent on Ukraine not invading Russia or launching missiles at Moscow or St. Petersburg without justification. Furthermore, one-third of the $300 billion in Russian assets currently frozen in Western institutions would be allocated to a "Ukraine Development Fund" aimed at reconstruction and resource extraction. Europe is expected to contribute an additional $100 billion to this fund, with the U.S. receiving half of the profits from related projects.

The remaining frozen Russian assets would be invested in a U.S.-Russian investment vehicle to promote joint projects, with the intention of improving relations between Moscow and Washington and preventing future conflicts. The plan also suggests reintegrating Russia into the global economy and allowing it to rejoin the G8, with sanctions being lifted gradually.

Additionally, the United States would pursue a long-term economic cooperation agreement with Russia, focusing on energy, natural resources, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data centers, and rare earth metals from the Arctic. Some clauses in the agreement address issues beyond security, including EU eligibility and prisoner exchanges, but they also raise concerns by legitimizing certain Russian propaganda narratives about Ukraine.