Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly thrown his weight behind a controversial peace proposal for Ukraine put forward by Donald Trump, creating a pivotal moment in the nearly three-year-long conflict. The development comes as the former US President has issued a stark ultimatum to Kyiv, demanding agreement to the widely-criticised framework or facing a cut-off of crucial American intelligence and weaponry.
The Kremlin's Conditional Endorsement
Speaking to senior officials in a televised address on Friday 21 November 2025, Mr Putin confirmed that Moscow had received peace proposals from the United States. He suggested the plan could form a foundation for ending the war, stating, "I believe that it can be used as the basis for a final peaceful settlement." However, the Russian leader was quick to add that the proposals had not yet been discussed in detail with his government.
Mr Putin claimed that Ukraine and European nations were opposing the initiative, alleging they failed to grasp the reality of Russia's ongoing military advances in Ukraine. He issued a stark warning that these advances would continue unabated without a peace agreement, directly pressuring Kyiv to negotiate.
Trump's Thanksgiving Deadline and Zelensky's Dilemma
The Kremlin's remarks align with a forceful move from Donald Trump, who has warned Ukraine to agree to his 28-point, US-brokered peace plan by Thursday – coinciding with the United States Thanksgiving holiday. Confirming the deadline, Trump told Fox News Radio, "I've had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines. But Thursday we think is an appropriate time."
Facing this immense pressure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described his nation's position as "one of the most difficult moments in our history." In a bleak address to the nation, he vowed not to betray his country, stating, "Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner."
The proposed framework, which appears to heavily favour Russia, would require Kyiv to make significant concessions, including:
- Ceding occupied territories to Russia
- Agreeing not to join the NATO alliance
- Accepting limits on the size and capability of its military
In return, Russia would be welcomed back into the international community. According to Reuters sources, the US has threatened to cut intelligence sharing and weapons supplies to pressure Ukraine into accepting these terms.
Escalating Pressure and Military Realities
The geopolitical manoeuvring is set against a backdrop of continued fighting. The Kremlin has intensified its rhetoric, urging Ukraine to negotiate "now" or risk losing more territory. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that thousands of Ukrainian troops were trapped in the Kharkiv region amid a Russian advance in the east.
"The space for the freedom of decision-making is shrinking for him as territories are lost," Mr Peskov said of President Zelensky's position. He also noted that Moscow had yet to receive anything official from the US on the actual proposition, indicating that diplomatic channels remain active but unclear.
This convergence of a US ultimatum and Russian endorsement places the government in Kyiv in an extraordinarily difficult position, balancing national sovereignty against the practical need for continued Western support to sustain its defence against the ongoing invasion.
