Zelenskyy urges Ukrainians to unite amid U.S. peace plan dilemma

"Right now, Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner," Zelenskyy said. "Or the difficult 28 points, or an extremely harsh winter, the harshest, and further risks. Life without freedom, dignity and justice, and believing the one who has already attacked twice. They will expect an answer from us."

Zelenskyy reaffirmed his oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people upon taking office, calling it "not just for show."

On the U.S. plan, he said Ukraine would work calmly with all partners to find a constructive solution, adding that he would "convince, propose alternatives."

"I will fight for at least two points not to be missed in all the plan's items: the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians, because everything else — our sovereignty, independence, land, people — is based on that," he said. "We will do everything to end the war and not end Ukraine."

Zelenskyy also called on Ukrainians to stop the "squabbling," saying unity is essential as the country navigates these challenges.

New U.S. peace plan

Axios first reported that the Trump administration is holding secret talks with Russian officials to develop a new plan to end the war in Ukraine. The plan has not been officially presented, and foreign media have published some details citing sources.

The Financial Times said the overall plan contains 28 points, including demands for Ukraine to cede the rest of Donbas; halve the size of its armed forces; freeze the line of contact in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts; and make Russian an official state language. It also calls for lifting sanctions on Russia and halting investigations into Russian war crimes.

MP Oleksii Honcharenko also published what he said was the full document, which includes restarting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant under IAEA oversight with power split equally between Ukraine and Russia, elections within 100 days of signing, Russia's return to the G8, and the loss of security guarantees for Ukraine if it attacks Russia.

Ukraine's Presidential Office officially stated that Zelenskyy received the draft from the U.S. side and agreed to "work on the plan's points to achieve a dignified end to the war." Zelenskyy later said Ukraine would not make "hasty statements" and is committed to "clear, honest work."

Media reported that Zelenskyy traveled to Türkiye with a different plan developed with European partners.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels made clear they would not accept demands for Ukrainian concessions to end the war, Reuters reported.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that Ukraine and its European allies must be included in creating any peace plan.