Russia has threatened to seize more Ukrainian territory if Kyiv rejects a new US-backed peace proposal, President Vladimir Putin declared on Friday, dramatically raising the stakes in a high-pressure diplomatic offensive by the Trump administration to force a swift end to the war.
The blunt warning from the Kremlin came just hours after the United States unveiled the broad outlines of a 28-point plan that has unsettled Ukraine and its European partners, exposing significant rifts within the Western coalition that has supported Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began.
A US Push for a Quick Deal
A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that President Donald Trump is engaging directly with both Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict “as quickly as possible,” emphasising that the war has dragged on with “too many senseless deaths.” The official stated that the administration believes the current battlefield situation has reached a “painful stalemate,” making this a critical window for negotiation.
In an interview with Fox News Radio, Trump himself set a ticking clock, stating that next Thursday remains an “appropriate” deadline for Ukraine to respond to the plan. Though he suggested the timeline could be extended if talks progress, he stressed the proposal’s core objective is to stop the killing. “The bloodshed has to end. We’re offering a path to peace, and it’s a path that requires tough decisions from everyone,” Trump said.
Zelenskyy’s “Impossible Choice” Amid Mounting Pressure
The dual pressure from both Washington and Moscow has placed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an increasingly precarious position. While he has publicly offered to negotiate with the US and Russia, he signalled in a somber recorded address that Ukraine may be forced to accept painful compromises.
“Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest since the start of the full-scale invasion,” Zelenskyy stated. “Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.” His reference to “dignity” was widely interpreted as a nod to potential territorial concessions that would legitimize Russia’s land grab.
He urged Ukrainians to “stop fighting” each other, a likely allusion to a major corruption scandal that has sapped public morale and drawn fierce criticism of his government. Looking ahead to potential talks, he warned that next week “will be very difficult.”
European Allies Scramble to Reassure Kyiv, Wary of Trump
As European officials scrambled to respond to the U.S. proposals—which apparently caught them unawares—Zelenskyy spoke by phone with the leaders of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Wary of antagonising Trump, their responses were cautiously worded but sought to present a unified front of continued support.
According to a readout from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s office, the four leaders welcomed U.S. efforts to end the war but firmly reiterated their “unchanged and full support on the way to a lasting and just peace” for Ukraine. The statement emphasized that “the Ukrainian armed forces must remain in a position to defend the sovereignty of Ukraine effectively,” a line seen as a subtle pushback against any deal that would critically weaken Ukraine’s military.
New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a separate comment, underscored that the right of Ukraine to “determine its future under its sovereignty is a fundamental principle.”
An “Existential” Struggle and Concerns Over a “Diktat” Peace
The rushed diplomacy underscores the profound concern in European capitals that a deal brokered solely by Washington could come at their expense. European leaders have long insisted that their own futures are inextricably linked to Ukraine’s security.
“Russia’s war against Ukraine is an existential threat to Europe. We all want this war to end. But how it ends matters,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas asserted in Brussels. “Russia has no legal right whatsoever to any concessions from the country it invaded. Ultimately, the terms of any agreement are for Ukraine to decide.”
Behind the diplomatic language, the concern is more acute. A European government official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, revealed that the U.S. plans were not officially presented to Ukraine’s European backers. The official described many of the proposals as “quite concerning,” warning that a “diktat” peace that forces Ukrainian capitulation would create a lasting security threat on the continent by emboldening Russia and shattering trust in Western alliances.
European Council President Antonio Costa, speaking from Johannesburg, confirmed the lack of consultation, stating: “The European Union has not been communicated (about) any plans in (an) official manner.”
Trump Dismisses European Fears, Defends Outreach to Putin
President Trump, however, pushed back vigorously against the notion that a settlement offering significant concessions to Russia would empower Putin for future aggression against other neighbors.
“He’s not thinking of more war,” Trump said of the Russian leader. “He’s thinking punishment. Say what you want. I mean, this was supposed to be a one-day war that has been four years now. It’s a tragedy, and it’s time for strong leadership to end it.”
As the deadline looms, the stage is set for a tense week of diplomacy. The outcome will not only determine the future of Ukraine but could also fundamentally reshape the post-Cold War security order in Europe, testing the resilience of the transatlantic partnership in the face of a determined push for a new geopolitical reality.
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