...
By Daniel Orton and Brendan Cole
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The U.S. is pressuring Ukraine to accept the framework of a U.S.-brokered peace deal with Russia within the next week and has warned that key military and intelligence support could be curtailed if Kyiv resists, two sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters.
According to one source, the Trump administration wants Ukraine to sign on to the basic terms by next Thursday—a move that would represent the most forceful U.S. intervention yet in shaping Kyiv’s negotiating stance as its battlefield position grows increasingly strained.
When asked about the Reuters report, Kira Rudik, a lawmaker in Ukraine's opposition party, told Newsweek, "up till this point, we have seen our American partners putting different kinds of pressure onto Ukraine, however, it is not Ukraine that is standing in the way to peace."
Read More on World
Why It Matters
The reported ultimatum marks a sharp escalation in Washington’s efforts to push the warring sides toward negotiations after more than two-and-a-half years of conflict.
...
What To Know
U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on November 20 to discuss potential steps toward a peace agreement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday, along with a delegation of other U.S. military officials, according to Reuters. "They want to stop the war and want Ukraine to pay the price," one of the sources told the news agency.
Reuters reported that the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and the Army public affairs chief traveling with the delegation characterized the talks as successful and said Washington was pushing for an "aggressive timeline" for the signing of a document between the U.S. and Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 28-point peace plan aims to end the Russia-Ukraine war by granting Moscow control over parts of eastern Ukraine, including Donbas, while offering security guarantees to Kyiv and Europe.
The draft includes limits on Ukraine’s military size, NATO nonexpansion, and economic incentives for Russia, such as a return to global markets.
Follow Newsweek's live blog for the latest updates on the peace plan proposal
Critics, including Ukrainian officials and advocacy groups, have denounced the plan as "capitulation," citing territorial concessions and weakened defenses. European allies express concern over being sidelined, while Russia signals optimism.
Rudik, leader of the Golos party in Ukraine, said Trump could not get anything from Putin, even the first step of any peace process, which would be to agree to a ceasefire.
"Ukraine has done everything by the book and agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, to all the requirements from the White House, including the rare minerals deal and still, in getting to peace, it seems we are the ones who are being pressured," she said.
"We didn't choose to capitulate in 2022. We are not doing it right now. And moving forward, we would need our European partners to play a stronger role," Rudik added.
Zelensky has not rejected the U.S. proposal but Reuters' report adds to the growing pressure on Ukraine's leader.
Richard Gardiner, senior analyst, strategic intelligence, at security and intelligence firm S-RM, told Newsweek on Friday that the timing of the U.S. deal puts Kyiv in a difficult position.
This is because Zelensky is already under pressure due to a major corruption scandal. Russia is also making continued advances in the east, and intensified strikes on energy infrastructure are stretching Ukraine’s air defenses so, "introducing the deal now adds to that strain."
Gardiner said that accepting the deal as it stands would likely trigger a major backlash inside Ukraine.
"It would cross several red lines for Kyiv, and with no imminent Russian strategic breakthrough," Gardiner said, "Ukrainian leaders may see holding out, even if territorial losses continue at the current rate, as the more acceptable option."
What People Are Saying
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday: "It's a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine and we believe that it should be acceptable to both sides and we're working very hard to get it done."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post on X Friday: "We are working to ensure that Ukraine’s national interests are taken into account at every level of our relations with partners. Right now, there are meetings, calls, and work on the points practically every hour—provisions that can change a lot. It is important that the outcome be a dignified peace."
What Happens Next
Ukrainian and European leaders have scheduled urgent calls and are expected to consult further at the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa to coordinate their response.
Update, 11/21/2025, 9:46 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and comment.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines