President Donald Trump is now reportedly urging Ukraine to accept a sweeping U.S. peace proposal to end its nearly four-year war with Russia by Thanksgiving — giving Kyiv less than a week to decide on a draft agreement that includes major concessions to Moscow.
“Thursday is, we think, an appropriate time,” Trump told Fox News Radio host Brian Kilmeade when asked whether he had set a Thanksgiving deadline. “We’re in it for one thing. We want the killing to stop.” Trump added he might extend the deadline “if things are working well,” but warned that Ukrainian forces were poised to lose even more territory in the Donbas region.
Trump also said Russian President Vladimir Putin “would be stopped” and “is not looking for more war,” adding that Putin is “taking punishment.”
The U.S.-crafted 28-point plan — previously rejected by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — includes territorial concessions, a cap on Ukraine’s military size, and several provisions addressing Russia’s long-standing demands. According to The Wall Street Journal, the proposal calls for Ukraine to surrender control over some territory it still holds, while accepting Russia’s de facto control in other areas where the front lines would be frozen.
Putin appeared receptive during a Friday meeting with his security council, saying the U.S. plan could form the basis of a peace settlement. Zelensky, meanwhile, acknowledged the immense pressure Ukraine is facing. “Now is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” he said in a video address. “Ukraine may find itself facing a very difficult choice. Either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner.”
Ukraine is grappling with battlefield setbacks and internal political turmoil, including a corruption investigation targeting members of Zelensky’s cabinet. Russian forces continue advancing in the east, and Moscow’s strikes on critical energy infrastructure have reduced electricity in parts of the country to only a few hours per day.
The Trump administration holds significant leverage, including the ability to restrict intelligence support or halt weapons shipments to encourage Kyiv to accept the deal.
Zelensky held calls Friday with leaders of France, the U.K., and Germany, and said he also spoke for an hour with Vice President JD Vance and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll about the U.S. proposal. He also consulted NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa.
“I will present arguments, I will convince, I will offer alternatives,” Zelensky said. “But we will definitely not give the enemy a reason to say that Ukraine does not want peace.” He emphasized that Europe must grasp the stakes, saying Ukraine remains the “shield” separating the EU from Putin’s ambitions.
A draft of the Trump administration’s plan — verified as authentic by the White House — shows additional terms: Ukraine’s active-duty military would be capped at 600,000 troops, its NATO ambitions permanently foreclosed, and national elections required within 100 days. A separate U.S. document outlines 10-year security guarantees offering intelligence and logistical support but stopping short of direct military intervention.
Yet public opinion in Ukraine strongly opposes territorial concessions. A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll from October found 71% of Ukrainians reject giving Russia any territory currently under Ukrainian control.
As Zelensky faces pressure from Trump, aggression from Russia, and a Ukrainian public unwilling to surrender land, the clock is ticking toward Thanksgiving — and a defining moment for Ukraine’s future.
[READ MORE: U.S. Presses Ukraine on Framework for Peace as Trump Administration Revives Push for Negotiations]
