European leaders scramble to assess U.S. peace proposal for Ukraine that would cap armed forces and limit Western strikes inside Russia, catching allies off guard.
A U.S.-backed framework to end the Ukraine war — assembled by special envoy Steve Witkoff, with input through both Kyiv and Moscow channels — is stirring unease among European allies and putting fresh pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy, who has ruled out recognizing Russian sovereignty over Ukrainian land, said he will work « calmly » with America. » This is one of the most difficult moments in our history », Zelenskyy said in a video address to the nation. « 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 », he said, according to a report in the Associated Press
According to multiple outlets, a working draft would require Kyiv to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia, limit long-range Western strikes inside Russia, and cap Ukraine’s armed forces at roughly 600,000 troops.
The White House says Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been « quietly working » on the plan and engaging both sides. President Donald Trump has been briefed and supports pushing to finalize the framework by the holidays.
Zelenskyy is preparing for a call with Trump and spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as European leaders scramble to assess the proposal’s implications, after he held a call with U.
