Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says he won’t ‘betray’ his country after Trump peace plan talks with Vance

Ukrainian president says his country faces ‘one of the most difficult moments in our history’ in address to the nation

Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will not betray Ukraine as he promised to propose “alternatives” to Donald Trump’s peace proposal.

“This is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” the Ukrainian president said in a video address to the nation on Friday, following a phone call with US vice president JD Vance. “Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.”

Washington has warned Kyiv to sign the framework of the US president’s peace deal by next Thursday if Ukraine wants to avoid its weapons supply being cut.

The 28-point US-proposed plan endorses some of Russia‘s principal demands in the war, including that Kyiv cede territory, reduce the size of its military and be barred from joining Nato.

Sources told Reuters news agency that Washington was putting greater pressure on Ukraine than it had done during any previous discussions, adding that intelligence sharing could also be cut.

Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump will hold a call next week, Sky News reported, to discuss the contentious plans.

Ukrainian president says his country faces ‘one of the most difficult moments in our history’ in address to the nation

Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will not betray Ukraine as he promised to propose “alternatives” to Donald Trump’s peace proposal.

“This is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” the Ukrainian president said in a video address to the nation on Friday, following a phone call with US vice president JD Vance. “Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.”

Washington has warned Kyiv to sign the framework of the US president’s peace deal by next Thursday if Ukraine wants to avoid its weapons supply being cut.

The 28-point US-proposed plan endorses some of Russia‘s principal demands in the war, including that Kyiv cede territory, reduce the size of its military and be barred from joining Nato.

Sources told Reuters news agency that Washington was putting greater pressure on Ukraine than it had done during any previous discussions, adding that intelligence sharing could also be cut.

Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump will hold a call next week, Sky News reported, to discuss the contentious plans.