Trump Issues 28-Point Peace Plan Ultimatum to Ukraine with November 27 Deadline

Amid escalating diplomatic tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered an ultimatum to Kyiv on Friday, November 21, 2025, concerning his comprehensive 28-point proposal for resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia. Speaking on Fox Radio, the White House incumbent set a firm deadline for Ukraine’s official response: Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. Trump issued a stern warning, suggesting that if hostilities persist, Ukraine faces the prospect of losing even more territory than what is currently proposed for concession to Russia.

This detailed peace framework, according to internal sources, was formulated with input from Special Envoy Steve Whitcoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Certain media outlets, referencing reports from The Guardian, have pointed out that the document’s language suggests it may have originally been drafted in Russian, noting the inclusion of terminology related to "Nazism." The plan itself represents an update to an initiative previously discussed in Anchorage in August 2025. It mandates that Ukraine effectively recognize Crimea, as well as the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, as Russian territory. Furthermore, it calls for freezing the current contact lines in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Beyond territorial concessions, the document imposes significant military restrictions on Ukraine. It stipulates a cap on the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, limiting them to 600,000 personnel. Crucially, it also enshrines a constitutional commitment by Ukraine to forgo joining NATO. These stringent terms place Kyiv in an exceedingly difficult position as the deadline approaches.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the ultimatum as presenting an "impossible choice" between upholding national dignity and risking the loss of the United States as a vital strategic partner. Despite this harsh assessment, Zelenskyy’s team, including the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, confirmed receipt of the document and immediately commenced a thorough analysis. In parallel, the Ukrainian side has sought avenues on the humanitarian front, specifically reaching out to the Vatican.

A Ukrainian delegation met with Pope Leo XIV to formally request that the Holy See solidify its role as an official mediator concerning the repatriation of deported children and civilians. Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Iryna Vereshchuk, emphasized that formalizing this process through the Vatican would compel the Russian side to respond to requests for return. However, Pope Leo XIV himself had previously expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of the Vatican serving as a direct mediator in the broader conflict.

The Russian Federation’s stance, articulated by President Vladimir Putin during a Security Council meeting on November 21, indicated that this 28-point proposal could indeed serve as a foundation for a final settlement. Putin affirmed Moscow's readiness to engage in negotiations, adding that the current battlefield momentum, particularly the advance near Pokrovsk, is favorable to Moscow’s objectives.

European allies have reacted with notable caution. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a private discussion with President Trump, concluding with an agreement to continue consultations at the level of national security advisors. Leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer offered assurances of continued support to Kyiv, though they stressed that any peace agreement must not resemble a capitulation. Romanian President Nicușor Dan underscored the inseverable link between the terms of any peace deal and the overall security architecture of Europe.