'I will never betray Ukraine', Zelenskyy vows as Trump sets deadline to agree peace deal

The Ukrainian president warned the next week will be difficult for his country as he said Ukraine risks losing a “key partner” over Donald Trump’s insistence Kyiv make concessions to find peace with Russia.

It comes after reports emerged that Mr Trump expects Ukraine to agree to the plan by Thanksgiving.

The peace proposal, drawn up by US special envoy Pete Witkoff and his Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, would see Ukraine pushed into leasing part of its territory to Russia in exchange for cash.

Read more: Zelenskyy to hold talks with Trump after US proposes new Russia-Ukraine peace plan

Washington and Moscow have been secretly hammering out the terms of the 28-point proposal inspired by the Gaza ceasefire deal brokered by Mr Trump in October.

The plan, revealed after a series of secret talks between US and Russian officials, would see Kyiv hand over control of the eastern Donbas region but keep legal ownership of the land.

The agreement would also force Ukraine to hand back any US weapons it has been given since 2022 and cut the size of its army in half.

Russia, meanwhile, will only be told it is “expected” not to invade its neighbours in the future.

Speaking in a video statement on Friday, Mr Zelenskyy vowed to fight Russia’s attempts to blame a lack of peace on Ukraine.

"This is one of the hardest moments in our history," he said.

"The pressure on Ukraine today is among the heaviest we have ever faced. Currently, Ukraine may be facing an extremely difficult decision.

"Either a loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. Either accepting a complicated list of 28 demands or enduring an extremely harsh winter, the harshest yet, with all the risks that follow.

"A life without freedom, without dignity, without justice. And all while being asked to trust someone who has already attacked us twice."

Mr Putin welcomed the proposal, calling it a "modernised" peace plan.

He said: "We see that after the talks in Alaska, there was a certain pause from the American side, and we know that this is connected with Ukraine's actual rejection of the peace settlement plan proposed by President Trump.

"I believe that this is precisely why a new version appeared, essentially a modernised plan consisting of 28 points. We have this text, we received it through existing channels of interaction with the American administration.

"I believe that it can also serve as the basis for the final peace settlement."

A counter-proposal, drafted by Ukraine and its European allies, is believed to be in the works.

EU leaders have confirmed they will meet to discuss Ukraine on Saturday.

Sir Keir Starmer used his appearance at today’s G20 summit to affirm his support for Ukraine.

“That was an opportunity for us to express, again, our support for Ukraine and the principle that’s very important, which is all matters to do with Ukraine must be determined ultimately by Ukraine,” he told broadcasters at a Johannesburg train depot.

On Friday, Sir Keir held a call with Mr Zelenskyy as well as French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the proposal.

In a post on social media, Mr Zelenskyy said the men "value the efforts of the United States, President Trump, and his team" and were "co-ordinating closely to make sure that the principled stances are taken into account".

He said: "We are working on the document prepared by the American side. This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace."