Trump is now putting maximum pressure on Ukraine to accept their capitulation, err "peace plan" by Thursday.
Zelensky called it in a 10 minute speech that way: either it could keep its dignity, or risk loosing America as major ally.
“Now the pressure on Ukraine is one of the heaviest,” he said. Its options included agreeing to Trump’s 28-point proposal or “an extremely difficult winter”, which has already seen Russia destroy much of the country’s
energy infrastructure, with millions of people left without heating and in the dark.
Agreeing to the US-Russian plan could leave
Ukraine “without freedom, dignity and justice”, he said. It would also mean believing “someone who has already attacked us twice”, he said, adding that he would never sacrifice Ukraine’s interests or go against its constitution. “We did not betray Ukraine then [in 2022], and we will not do so now,” he declared.
Speaking on Fox radio, Trump said he thought Thursday was an “appropriate time” for Zelenskyy to sign the deal, and said he believed Ukraine could not prevent Russia’s army from taking the Donbas territories by force.
The US president is pursuing an “aggressive timeline” to end the conflict, US officials indicated, and intends to heap unprecedented pressure on Kyiv.
Trump is also threatening to cut vital intelligence sharing and weapons supplies for Ukraine if it fails to agree, reports suggest.
A US official, when asked whether the US could cut off intelligence sharing or logistical support if Kyiv did not sign the deal, said: “It was strongly implied to the Ukrainians that the United States expects them to agree to a peace deal. Any changes will be decided upon by the president himself.”
On Friday, European leaders pushed back on the proposal, which Ukrainian politicians say is “absurd”.