US issues stark new threat to Ukraine
The US has reportedly given Ukraine a stark choice with President Zelensky telling citizens the country could lose the US as a partner.
The US has reportedly threatened to cut military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine in just one week unless it signs up to its peace deal which many say heavily favours Moscow.
Volodymyr Zelensky appeared to confirm this on Friday, local time, telling Ukrainians they faced a choice of “losing a major partner” – the US – or that nation’s “dignity”.
He said it was “one of the most difficult moments in history” for the nation.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump told Fox News Radio the US wanted “one thing” and that was for “the killing to stop”. He added that without a ceasefire Ukraine would “lose in a short period of time,” which appeared to echo Russian messaging.
He also confirmed a deadline of the US’ Thanksgiving holiday — which is November 27.
“I’ve had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines. But Thursday is we think is an appropriate time”.
The White House has suggested negotiations could take longer but a “framework” by Thanksgiving might suffice.
The Kremlin has said it has not seen details of the 28 point peace plan - which seems unlikely - but nonetheless it urged Ukraine to make a “responsible decision”.
On Thursday, the US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz threatened more sanctions on Russia unless it signed up to the deal. But the alleged penalties on Ukraine for snubbing the plan would be much steeper.
Details of the plan, negotiated with Russia but Ukraine says with little input from Kyiv, will preserve Ukraine as a nation but otherwise give in to many of Moscow’s demands.
Most jarringly, this would see Kyiv hand over the entirety of the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, including areas that Russia has failed to conquer in more than three years.
Ukraine would also have to commit to not join NATO, reduce the size of its military and not allow any foreign troops on its territory.
In return, Ukraine would get some kind of security guarantee from the US, the possibility of joining the EU and funds to rebuild.
Russia would see sanctions dropped and it would also put into law that it would not attack Ukraine or European nations. European capitals are not reassured by this.
But on Friday, Mr Trump said Russia was “not looking for more war”.
“They are taking punishment,” he said.
Mr Trump added Russia would be “stopped” from any attacks on Europe.
The Trump White House has ricocheted in its thoughts about how to end the conflict. At one point, just weeks ago, Mr Trump was toying with giving Ukraine longer range US missiles to hit Russia and had suggested it could take back all the lands that had been invaded.
But this peace plan closely mirrors many of Moscow’s demands. There are fears it will give Russia time to rearm and again threaten a militarily weakened Ukraine.
The ceasefire proposal tramples over a number of Kyiv’s so-called “red lines” which includes gifting land to Russia and places limits on its armed forces.
European leaders, who also appear to have been frozen out of the negotiations, have said rewarding Russia for its aggression will encourage its aggression.
US threat to Ukraine
Donald Trump seems to want to get the war over, whatever the cost, as quickly as possible.
A report from Reuters on Friday stated the US has threatened to cut intelligence sharing and weapons supplies for Ukraine to pressure it into signing up to the peace plan.
The US has not denied this.
Zelensky: Difficult moment in Ukraine’s history’
On Friday, Mr Zelensky had a stark message for Ukrainians.
“This is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” he said during the address.
“The pressure on Ukraine is one of the most difficult. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner”.
That “partner” is widely thought to be the US.
“Either 28 complicated points or the hardest winter yet — and the risks that follow.”
Nonetheless, Mr Zelensky said the country would work “calmly with America and all partners”.
“There will be a constructive search for solutions with our main partner.
“I will present arguments, I will offer alternatives, but we will definitely not give the enemy a reason to say that Ukraine does not want peace, that it is she who is disrupting the process, and that Ukraine is not ready for diplomacy”.
That represents a concern in Kyiv that Moscow often offers ludicrous terms for the conflict to end and then tries to convince the White House that it is Ukraine that is the roadblock, not Russia.
Mr Zelensky spoke to US Vice President JD Vance on Friday to discuss the plan.
The US no longer directly funds Ukraine. However, it allows European nations to buy weaponry which they can sell on to Ukraine. If the US withdrew all support, Kyiv would still receive help from Europe. In addition, Ukraine’s own arms industry is now large. But there’s no doubt the US stepping back would remove vital support and diplomatic leverage.
Originally published as US issues stark new threat to Ukraine
