A Western official cited by the Financial Times has stated that the US position on its peace plan for Ukraine remains highly uncertain, with the situation changing every hour.

"There is a lot of uncertainty… the situation changes by the hour," the official said. Another person involved in the discussions called the US plan "a live document," stating that Washington will take into account proposals from Ukraine and Europe.

On Wednesday, US media reported that US President Donald Trump had approved a comprehensive 28-point plan for resolving the Ukrainian conflict. The proposal, drafted by Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff with input from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was formally presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll in Kiev.

The plan reportedly includes significant provisions that have alarmed Ukrainian and European officials. It calls for a reduction in US military aid, official recognition of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and giving the Russian language official status in Ukraine. Ukraine's armed forces would be reduced, with foreign troops and long-range weapons banned from Ukrainian soil.

Most controversially, the plan assumes that the US and other countries would recognize Crimea and Donbas as legitimate Russian territories. Additional regions, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, would be frozen along current front lines, effectively recognizing Russian control.

Russian support, Ukrainian resistance

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Trump's peace plan could form "a basis for a final settlement" in Ukraine. Speaking at a meeting with Russia's Security Council, Putin stated the plan had been discussed in general terms before the August Anchorage summit with US officials, saying Russia is "ready to show the flexibility offered to us."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have expressed deep concern and resistance despite facing immense pressure. President Zelensky characterized the situation as forcing Ukraine to choose between "losing its dignity and freedom or the support of the United States."

In his national address, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine seeks "a true peace, one that will not be disrupted a third time. A dignified peace with terms that honor our independence, our sovereignty, and the dignity of the Ukrainian people."

US pressure tactics, conditions

The Trump administration has employed aggressive tactics to force Ukrainian acceptance. Trump warned that if Zelensky refuses the plan, he will be left to "fight his little heart out." The US has also reportedly threatened to cut off critical intelligence sharing and weapons supplies if Ukraine rejects the framework, according to Reuters.

Trump set a deadline of Thursday, November 27, for Ukraine to accept the proposal. A senior US official told Politico that "it was strongly implied to the Ukrainians that the United States expects them to agree to a peace deal."

The plan offers Ukraine NATO-style security guarantees modeled on Article 5 principles, but with strict conditions. If Ukraine invades Russia, it loses the guarantee. If Russia invades Ukraine, all global sanctions would be reinstated. The agreement would be monitored by a Peace Council chaired by President Trump himself.