Zelensky Says Ukraine Could 'Lose Key Partner' As He Balks At Trump's Peace Deal

"This morning, Zelensky and Vice President JD Vance discussed the Trump administration's new Ukraine peace plan, marking the highest-level talk on 28-point plan so far, and soon on the heels of this Zelensky issued the following video statement which states in part...
"This is one of the most difficult moments in our history [...] Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner."

He also said: "I will present arguments, persuade, and propose alternatives, but we will not give the enemy grounds to say that it is Ukraine that does not want peace. That will not happen." And: "We did not betray Ukraine then (on February 24), and we will not betray it now. I know that the people are with me."
The statement is tinged with defiant rhetoric aimed at Washington, especially given he talks of the "risk" of losing a key partner - in reference to the US, which has already sunk tens of billions into the war effort. But the Ukrainian leader also seems somewhat defeated, admitting the "most difficult" moment in the history of the war.
President Trump has said that next Thursday, Thanksgiving Day in the US, is a suitable deadline for the sides to sign the peace agreement. As for the immense pressure from the US Zelensky is talking about, Reuters reports:
"The United States has threatened to cut intelligence sharing and weapons supplies for Ukraine to press it into agreeing to the framework of a U.S.-brokered peace deal, two people familiar with the matter said."
"The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Kyiv was under greater pressure from Washington than during any previous peace discussions, and that the U.S. wanted Ukraine to sign a framework of the deal by next Thursday," the report adds. Trump has also again admitted that Ukraine forces are fast losing ground on the battlefield.
In the meantime, Ukraine is reportedly in discussions with its more hawkish backers in Europe - France, Germany, and the UK - on a counter-proposal which would supplant the US peace plan.
Point number 25 of the 28 stipulates as follows: Ukraine will hold elections in 100 days. This is of course something Zelensky has resisted for years, arguing that martial law under the Ukrainian constitutions allows for the indefinite suspension of national elections.
His term expired in May 2024, but earlier this year he responded to allegations of simply wanting to hold on to power by asserting, "I’m focusing on the survival of our country, and I am doing it really all my term." 

ZeroHedge