Trump turns the screw: Zelensky’s agonising choice as President demands he accept humiliating peace deal by Thursday – or lose US support
Ukraine has been told it must accept a humiliating peace deal by Thursday or lose US military support.
Under terms secretly agreed between the White House and the Kremlin, Kiev is expected to give up territory its troops have defended since February 2022, reduce the size of its army and sacrifice its sovereignty.
Donald Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that he has until Thursday to make his decision.
The 28-point peace plan paves the way for the United States to pocket billions of dollars in payments, including compensation for supporting Ukraine militarily and deals with Russia for rare earth minerals.
In a dramatic video speech, Mr Zelensky said: ‘Today is one of the most difficult moments in our history.
‘The pressure on Ukraine is at its most intense right now. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice: either a loss of reputation, the risk of losing an important security partner (28 points), or an extremely harsh winter.
‘Ukraine’s national interests must be taken into account. We don’t make loud statements; We will work calmly with America and all our partners. We will seek a constructive solution with our main partner [the US].’
President Donald Trump (photo taken on November 18, 2025) told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that he has until Thursday to make his decision.
Zelensky is expected to have a crisis phone call with Trump early next week (taken on February 28)
Mr Zelensky said he would work around the clock to find a way but insisted he would not betray his country.
Last night former defense secretary Ben Wallace launched a scathing attack on the US President.
He said: ‘When will European leaders wake up and realize that Donald Trump is only interested in the dollar and running a protection racket? He never had any intention of supporting Ukraine. It’s time for all of us to invest in our defense and stand together for Ukraine.’
Predictably, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the plan and said it could ‘form the basis of an eventual peace agreement’.
Putin also accused Ukraine and its allies of ‘dreaming’ that Russia could be defeated militarily.
A government source last night described the situation as ‘on a knife edge’. Sir Keir Starmer pledged support for Ukraine but made no criticism of President Trump.
Speaking at the G20 summit in South Africa, the Prime Minister said: ‘While Ukraine has been ready for negotiations for months, Russia has stalled and continued its bloody attack. Therefore, we must work with both the United States and Ukraine to ensure a just and lasting peace is definitively achieved.’
Professor Michael Clarke, former president of the military think tank RUSI, described the situation as ‘the most critical moment in the collapse of the transatlantic relationship’.
Mr. Zelensky addressed the Ukrainian people standing in the rain in front of the government building
Predictably, Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured with Trump on 12 August 2025) welcomed the plan, saying it ‘could form the basis of an eventual peace agreement’.
Behind the scenes, Britain, along with allies such as France and Germany, launched a diplomatic offensive to make counterproposals and persuade the United States to soften its stance.
But the White House’s reluctance to listen to alternative arguments signaled Sir Keir’s inability to speak to Mr Trump. The radio silence came despite Britain playing its strongest diplomatic cards, including a personal request from King Charles that the US President make a second state visit.
Despite repeated extensions of deadlines for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or begin negotiations, President Trump confirmed last night: ‘It’s Thursday.’
Ukraine is in danger of being cut off militarily by the United States unless it accepts the terms; weapons stockpiles are drying up and the intelligence sharing agreement is ending.
With European support, Ukraine could continue to withstand Russian aerial bombardment indefinitely, but face an increasing cost in lost lives and lost territory.
Standing in front of the government building in the rain, Mr Zelensky said: ‘I will present arguments, I will persuade, I will offer alternatives, but we will certainly not give the enemy any reason to say that Ukraine does not want peace, that it is disrupting the process and that Ukraine is not ready for diplomacy.’
He also recalled how Ukraine reacted immediately after the Russian invasion in February 2022: ‘We did not betray Ukraine then, and we will not betray it now.’
Mr. Zelensky is expected to have a crisis phone call with Mr. Trump early next week. He has already met with Sir Keir and French President Emmanual Macron.
Downing Street officials considered whether Sir Keir would return to Britain but instead European leaders are expected to hold a meeting on the sidelines of a summit in Johannesburg today to discuss the crisis.
