November 21, 2025, 4:19 PM

Zelensky:"We must choose between losing our dignity and becoming a strategic ally."

“We are now in one of the most difficult moments in our history. The pressure on Ukraine is at its maximum. Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address. His words came shortly after a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance to discuss the US 28-point plan.

Zelensky spoke of a choice: either “the difficult 28 points, or an extremely difficult winter, the most difficult, and further risks,” adding that he would not betray national interests but would work “quickly” with the US.

• Giorgia Meloni spoke by telephone with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for an initial exchange of views on the American peace proposal for Ukraine. During the conversation, the importance of supporting ongoing negotiating efforts was emphasized and the ultimate goal of achieving a just and lasting peace, in the interest of all of Europe, was reaffirmed. The reference to solid security guarantees, integral to the broader framework of European and transatlantic stability, was welcomed, in line with what Italy has long proposed. Other elements of the plan were considered worthy of further exploration. President Meloni's contacts with the main leaders interested in resolving the crisis will continue in the coming hours and tomorrow, including on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
• “We are now in one of the most difficult moments in our history. The pressure on Ukraine is at its maximum. Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner."Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address. His words came shortly after a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance to discuss the US 28-point plan. "Today is the day US sanctions against Russia are expected to take effect. I hope they don't decide to postpone them because that's exactly what Russia wants." This was stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas at a press conference after the EU-Pacific Forum."What Russia wants is to postpone the use of its assets," she added. A telephone conversation is expected today between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Vice President JD Vance. Axios journalist
Barak Ravid
• previewed the developments on X, citing two sources familiar with the developments following the news of the peace plan proposed by the United States. Donald Trump aims for peace in Ukraine with his plan,"we must now work" starting from this text, but also"reiterating the principle that matters: that the future of Ukraine must be determined by Ukraine." Prime Minister
Keir Starmer
• told British journalists after the four-way call with President Volodymyr Zelensky and with European allies Friderich Merz and Emmanuel Macron."I know – he stressed – what President Trump wants is what we all want. But the principle that Ukraine's future must be determined by Ukraine in accordance with its sovereignty is a fundamental principle."
• Ukraine is coming under intense pressure from Washington to accept the framework of a US-brokered peace deal with Russia, including threats to cease the supply of intelligence and weapons, Reuters reported on its website, citing two sources familiar with the matter. One of the sources, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the United States wants Ukraine to sign part of the agreement by next Thursday, November 27. European leaders Merz, Macron, and Starmer, in their phone call with Zelensky, said they"will continue to pursue the goal of safeguarding vital European and Ukrainian interests in the long term," confirming their "unwavering and full support for Ukraine in the pursuit of lasting peace and "It's right." This is what is written in the call report, provided by the German government. The leaders"welcomed the US efforts," including proposals on Ukraine's sovereignty and "robust" security guarantees. But they reiterated that the current front line must serve"as a starting point" for any territorial discussions. Some of the sentences in the US peace plan for Ukraine appear to have been originally written in Russian. This is what the Guardian claims, according to which in several places the text works in Russian, but looks decidedly strange in English. One of the points, the newspaper writes, reads:"Russia is expected not to invade neighboring countries and that NATO will not expand further." "It is expected," the Guardian points out, is a cumbersome passive construction in English. The Russian version makes more sense and is a familiar verb form. The text also highlights some"Russianisms," such as terms like "ambiguity" and "sanction," used with a more binding meaning. The White House acknowledged that Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putin's envoy, wrote the proposal together with Steve Witkoff,
Donald Trump's
• special representative. The two drafted the text during a meeting in Miami. Russia still claims an advance in eastern Ukraine. According to the Moscow Defense Ministry, Russian forces control the towns of Maslyakivka, Novoselivka, Stavky, and Yampil in Donetsk, and Radisne in the Dnipropetrovsk region
. Russian media reported this.