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.
