Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zeleksly

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly pushed back against a US plan, which President Donald Trump says is aimed at ending Ukraine`s drawn-out conflict with Russia.

In an address on Friday, Zelensky admitted Ukraine was facing "one of the most difficult moments in its history," saying Washington was applying unprecedented pressure on Kiev to accept Trump`s 28-point proposal.

The plan reportedly recognizes Crimea`s and the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luganks`s 2014 votes to join the Russian Federation, freezes Ukrainian forces along the current frontline, limits Kiev`s army, and rules out the country`s NATO membership permanently.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Zelensky had to "negotiate now" or risk losing even more territory, underscoring that Ukraine`s room for maneuver was shrinking by day.

President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Moscow had received the US draft plan and described it as a potential basis for a lasting settlement.

"I believe it could lay the foundation for a final peace settlement," he said, adding that if Kiev rejected the proposal, recent Russian victories, including the capture of the city of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine, "will inevitably be repeated in other key areas."

Zelensky equated accepting the US proposal with "the loss of dignity," while acknowledging that Kiev`s insubordination in the face of Washington faced it with the "risk of losing a key partner."

Trump has set a deadline of November 27 for Kiev to accept the plan, hinting that the timeline might be extended only if negotiations proceeded smoothly.

Zelensky claimed he would "propose alternatives." He also contacted US Vice President JD Vance and senior War Department officials for what he described as an hour-long phone call, a move widely seen as an attempt to win time.

The US`s decision to bypass Europe in pushing the plan through has, meanwhile, infuriated EU leaders, who were left scrambling after learning of the plan only after its circulation between Washington and Kiev.

Germany, France, and the UK held emergency talks with Zelensky as European capitals attempted to reassert relevance in a process now overwhelmingly shaped by Russia and the United States.

While some leaders repeated familiar slogans of "unwavering support," others suggested the American plan could force uncomfortable, but unavoidable conversations inside the EU.

Germany stressed that the current frontline, not the US proposal, should be the basis of any settlement, a position that contrasts sharply with Trump`s terms.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said intense intra-European discussions were necessary and announced meetings on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg.