Zelenskyy Ready for ‘Honest’ Work on US-backed Plan as Europeans Express Concern

The Trump administration confirmed on Nov. 20 that it had formulated a plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to the media after a meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing” in London, England, on Oct. 24, 2025. Kirsty Wigglesworth - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Nov. 20 he was ready for “honest” work with the United States to bring an end to the war with Russia.

“The American side presented points of a plan to end the war—their vision. I outlined our key principles. We agreed that our teams will work on the points to ensure it’s all genuine,” Zelenskyy said on X.

“We’re geared up for clear and honest work—Ukraine, the U.S., our European and global partners.”

“Ukraine needs peace, and Ukraine will do everything so that no one in the world can say we are upending diplomacy. This is important,” he added during his nightly video address, saying that Kyiv would make no “rash” statements.

“The number one task for everyone is a constructive diplomatic process with America and all our partners. It is vital to have stable support for our army and all our planned defense operations and deep strikes.”

His comments followed discussions with a top U.S. Army official following revelations of a plan devised by the Trump administration.

The White House confirmed on Nov. 20 that it has been working with both Russia and Ukraine over the past month to develop a peace plan aimed at ending the conflict in Eastern Europe, following media reports of a leaked proposal.

The plan has 28 points to it, according to The Associated Press, including the confirmation of Ukraine’s sovereignty; a comprehensive non-aggression agreement to be concluded between Russia, Ukraine, and Europe; the expectation that Russia will cease invading its neighbors; and an end to NATO expansion.

However, the plan also says that Ukraine will cede Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk to Russia, and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia will be frozen along the line of contact, meaning de facto recognition along the line of contact.

Ukraine and its European allies have previously been vehemently opposed to the prospect of Kyiv giving up any territory.

European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she and member states’ leaders would be contacting Zelenskyy to discuss the peace plan on Nov. 21.

“We will discuss the situation both with European leaders and with leaders here on the sidelines of the G20. I will also reach out to President Zelenskyy to discuss the matter,” she told reporters.

Von der Leyen added that a key principle European leaders had always upheld was “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

“Europe has always supported efforts for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine. But for any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said on X on Nov. 20.

“In this war, there is one aggressor and one victim. So far, we haven’t heard of any concessions from Russia’s side.”

Additionally, some European nations expressed concern over the plan’s suggestion that Kyiv would have to make territorial concessions to Moscow, and their own current lack of involvement.

“Ukrainians want peace—a just peace that respects everyone’s sovereignty, a durable peace that can’t be called into question by future aggression,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

“But peace cannot be a capitulation.

“Discussions are needed for us to reach a just and durable peace in Ukraine, they should start with a ceasefire on the contact line that allows for orderly discussions on the question of territories and security.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Nov. 21 that he sees the plan as a list of issues that need to be urgently discussed between Ukraine and Russia, but added that it is not a final plan.

“The German position is the European position, and that means we are backing Ukraine. We want to ensure that Ukraine can discuss these points from a position of strength,” said Wadephul.

Radek Sikorski, Poland’s foreign minister, whose country shares a border with Ukraine, said on Thursday: “We support all efforts for peace, but let’s remember that it is Europe that primarily supports Ukraine—financially and militarily.

“And it is Europe’s security that will be increased or decreased as a result of the way this war ends, so of course, as Europe, we demand to be included in these decisions. In my opinion, it is not the victim’s ability to defend itself that should be limited, but the aggressor’s ability to aggress.”

Estonian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Marko Mihkelson wrote on X alongside a photograph of the reported deal: “If Ukraine accepts this, there will be no Ukraine anymore. If Europe accepts this, we must prepare for a direct war with Russia.”

Estonia is one of the EU and NATO’s most eastern states and shares a border with Russia.

Moscow, meanwhile, said it had not been informed of Zelenskyy’s agreement to negotiate Trump’s peace plan.

“No, we haven’t received anything officially. We’re seeing some innovations. But we haven’t received anything officially. And there hasn’t been any substantive discussion of these points,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.