In stark address to nation, Zelenskyy warns of ‘one of most difficult moments in history’ – summary
Jakub Krupa
Zelenskyy’s 10-minute address to the nation, published here, spells out in very stark terms the position in which Ukraine finds itself as the US ramps up pressure on Kyiv to end the war. What are the main points of his speech?
In the speech, recorded to mark the Ukrainian holiday, the Day of Dignity and Freedom, Zelenskyy warns Ukrainians that “now is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” with “difficult” pressure on Ukraine as it “may find itself facing a very difficult choice: either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner,” or accepting the 28 points or facing “an extremely difficult” winter ahead.
Zelenskyy says that Ukraine’s partners – he means the US, primarily – will expect him to give an answer to the US proposal soon, and recalls his oath of office to protect the Ukrainian constitution as his guiding principle in these considerations.
“I will never betray it. The national Ukrainian interest must be taken into account,” he says.
He says he will seek to find “constructive solutions,” and he is ready to “present arguments, convince and offer alternatives,” but will never allow this situation to create an impression that “Ukraine does not want peace or is disrupting the process” of seeking an end to the war. “This will not happen,” he stresses.
He says that Ukrainian officials will work over the weekend and into next week, “as long as it takes,” 24/7 to improve the US plan, so “that among all the points, at least two are not missed: the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians.”
“Because everything else is based on this – our sovereignty, our independence, our land, our people. And the Ukrainian future,” he says.
Zelenskyy also pointedly notes the support he is getting from European partners, who he says understand “that Russia is not far away … and Ukraine is the only shield separating comfortable European life from Putin’s plans [of aggression].”
He says he appreciates the praise for the heroic Ukrainian nation as they fight against the Russian invasion, but says that Ukrainians are under unimaginable pressure as daily attacks continue.
“We are, of course, made of steel. But any metal, even the strongest, may not withstand [all of] it.”
Recalling the beginning of the full-scale war in 2022, Zelenskyy also seeks to reignite that sense of national unity, as he urges the nation to unite and “stop the political games” in the face of adversity.
He says he has faced various pressures then in 2022 and throughout this crisis, but resisted them as he “felt the support of everyone behind my back.”
“We did not betray Ukraine then, we will not do it now,” he says.
But he concedes that “the next week will be very difficult” with “a lot of pressure” on Ukraine to get it to agree to far-reaching concessions – but insists he won’t let that happen.
He says Ukraine will work diplomatically to achieve peace for the sake of “our peace, … our dignity, … our freedom.”
He ends on his customary greeting “glory to Ukraine.”
Key events
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Zelenskyy warns of ‘most difficult moment in history’ amid pressure to accept US plan
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Any Ukraine plan must ‘abide’ by UN resolution, respect ‘territorial integrity,’ UN chief says
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‘Matters concerning Ukraine are for Ukraine to decide,’ Finland’s president Stubb, top officials says
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In stark address to nation, Zelenskyy warns of ‘one of most difficult moments in history’ – summary
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Ukraine faces choice of losing major partner or its dignity, Zelenskyy says as he considers response to US peace deal proposal
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Reform UK’s former Wales leader jailed for taking bribes for pro-Russia speeches as member of European Parliament
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Ukraine’s sovereignty is fundamental principle for any future deal, UK PM says
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Peace deal must not punish victim and overlook crimes of aggressor, Czech president says, calling for assurances and ‘full say’ for Europe
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You can’t reward aggressor as it invites more aggression, EU’s Kallas warns
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All decisions with implications for Europe, Nato need support of partners, France says, as it backs Ukraine
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Ukraine, European countries to coordinate on making sure Ukraine’s ‘principled’ positions are included in peace deal, Zelenskyy says
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Cautious wording of post-call German statement reveals concern among allies
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Merz, Macron, Starmer confirm full support for Ukraine after call with Zelenskyy, Germany confirms
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Ukraine should negotiate ‘now’ or risk losing more territory, Kremlin warns
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‘All negotiations should be conducted with Ukraine’s participation,’ Poland’s Tusk says
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US ‘peace proposal’ includes Russianisms prompting questions about authorship of text – analysis
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Germany’s Merz expected to speak with Trump – German media
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European leaders expected to hold urgent talks with Zelenskyy about US-Russian plans – reports
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US proposal ‘not a real plan,’ and only Ukraine can decide about compromises, German foreign minister says
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EU not told about plans for Ukraine, EU’s Costa admits
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Trump’s proposal gains momentum and tests EU’s leadership, Hungary’s Orbán says
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Unimpressed with ‘absurd’ proposals, Ukraine faces tricky negotiations – analysis
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Ukraine needs ‘real, dignified’ peace, Zelenskyy says
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Morning opening: Europe scrambles to respond to US plan for Ukraine
Zelenskyy warns of ‘most difficult moment in history’ amid pressure to accept US plan
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said his nation was facing “one of the most difficult moments in history” after being presented with a 28-point peace plan drafted by the US, which pressured Kyiv to end the war in the country and concede territory to Russia.
In a 10-minute address to the nation, Zelenskyy warned Ukrainians they were facing the pressure of either losing a key partner, the US, or dealing with “an extremely difficult” winter ahead.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held call with US vice-president JD Vance, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.
In earlier remarks, Zelenskyy appeared careful not to reject the US plan or to offend the Americans.
“We value the efforts of the United States, president Trump, and his team aimed at ending this war. We are working on the document prepared by the American side. This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace,” he said.
Jakub Krupa
That’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, but stay with us on Europe Live for more coverage of the situation in Ukraine – Tom Ambrose will guide you through the latest developments this afternoon.
Any Ukraine plan must ‘abide’ by UN resolution, respect ‘territorial integrity,’ UN chief says
UN chief António Guterres also insisted that any peace plan for Ukraine must “abide” by UN resolutions upholding the country’s “territorial integrity,” AFP reported.
“We are talking about something that is in the press that was never presented formally by the United States or by any other entity,” Guterres told a news conference in Johannesburg ahead of a G20 summit.
“For us, a peace solution for Ukraine that is in line with these principles would also abide by the resolutions of the General Assembly that clearly indicated that the territorial integrity of Ukraine and… the territorial integrity of states must be respected,” he said.
‘Matters concerning Ukraine are for Ukraine to decide,’ Finland’s president Stubb, top officials says
Meanwhile, Finland’s president Alexander Stubb and other top Finnish government officials insisted in a statement that Ukraine must be allowed to make its own decisions on how to end the war with Russia.
“Matters concerning Ukraine are for Ukraine to decide, and decisions about Europe cannot be made without Europe’s involvement,” they said, in a statement reported by Rueters.
In stark address to nation, Zelenskyy warns of ‘one of most difficult moments in history’ – summary
Jakub Krupa
Zelenskyy’s 10-minute address to the nation, published here, spells out in very stark terms the position in which Ukraine finds itself as the US ramps up pressure on Kyiv to end the war. What are the main points of his speech?
In the speech, recorded to mark the Ukrainian holiday, the Day of Dignity and Freedom, Zelenskyy warns Ukrainians that “now is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” with “difficult” pressure on Ukraine as it “may find itself facing a very difficult choice: either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner,” or accepting the 28 points or facing “an extremely difficult” winter ahead.
Zelenskyy says that Ukraine’s partners – he means the US, primarily – will expect him to give an answer to the US proposal soon, and recalls his oath of office to protect the Ukrainian constitution as his guiding principle in these considerations.
“I will never betray it. The national Ukrainian interest must be taken into account,” he says.
He says he will seek to find “constructive solutions,” and he is ready to “present arguments, convince and offer alternatives,” but will never allow this situation to create an impression that “Ukraine does not want peace or is disrupting the process” of seeking an end to the war. “This will not happen,” he stresses.
He says that Ukrainian officials will work over the weekend and into next week, “as long as it takes,” 24/7 to improve the US plan, so “that among all the points, at least two are not missed: the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians.”
“Because everything else is based on this – our sovereignty, our independence, our land, our people. And the Ukrainian future,” he says.
Zelenskyy also pointedly notes the support he is getting from European partners, who he says understand “that Russia is not far away … and Ukraine is the only shield separating comfortable European life from Putin’s plans [of aggression].”
He says he appreciates the praise for the heroic Ukrainian nation as they fight against the Russian invasion, but says that Ukrainians are under unimaginable pressure as daily attacks continue.
“We are, of course, made of steel. But any metal, even the strongest, may not withstand [all of] it.”
Recalling the beginning of the full-scale war in 2022, Zelenskyy also seeks to reignite that sense of national unity, as he urges the nation to unite and “stop the political games” in the face of adversity.
He says he has faced various pressures then in 2022 and throughout this crisis, but resisted them as he “felt the support of everyone behind my back.”
“We did not betray Ukraine then, we will not do it now,” he says.
But he concedes that “the next week will be very difficult” with “a lot of pressure” on Ukraine to get it to agree to far-reaching concessions – but insists he won’t let that happen.
He says Ukraine will work diplomatically to achieve peace for the sake of “our peace, … our dignity, … our freedom.”
He ends on his customary greeting “glory to Ukraine.”
Ukraine faces choice of losing major partner or its dignity, Zelenskyy says as he considers response to US peace deal proposal
We are now getting first lines from Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s extraordinary video address to the nation, in which he warned that next week could be “very difficult” for Ukraine with a lot of political pressure coming towards Kyiv as the US hopes to force through its peace proposal.
Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine is facing “one of the most difficult moments of its history,” and a choice “of losing a major partner [in the US] or Ukraine’s dignity.”
The president stressed he will not betray Ukraine’s national interest and will seek to work “constructively” with the US to amend the proposed deal, so Russia cannot argue that Kyiv does not want peace.
I will bring you full quotes as soon as we have them.
Reform UK’s former Wales leader jailed for taking bribes for pro-Russia speeches as member of European Parliament
While we’re on the UK, Reform UK’s former leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, has been jailed at the Old Bailey for 10 and a half years for taking bribes to make statements in favour of Russia when he was a member of the European Parliament.
Gill, a member of the Ukip and Brexit party blocs led by Nigel Farage in the European parliament, had pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery between 6 December 2018 and 18 July 2019.
Police say Gill received the equivalent of at least £40,000 and could have got even more from Oleg Voloshyn, an alleged Russian asset who is also under investigation but is now believed to be in Moscow.
Investigators who were taken by surprise by Gill’s guilty plea in September say he has given no explanation about his motivation, but they believe he was largely driven by financial need.
The statements he made were designed to benefit the Kremlin’s narrative on Ukraine in the period before Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour in 2022. Gill made the statements in the European parliament and also on a pro-Russian Ukrainian television channel linked to an ally of Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine’s sovereignty is fundamental principle for any future deal, UK PM says
Meanwhile, UK prime minister Keir Starmer insisted that Ukraine “must determine its future under its sovereignty” after his call with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and other European leaders earlier today.
Following the call, Starmer told broadcasters, via PA news agency:
“We all want a just and lasting peace. That’s what the president of America wants. That’s what we all want.
And so we need to work from where we are to that end.
But the principle that Ukraine must determine its future under its sovereignty is a fundamental principle.”
Peace deal must not punish victim and overlook crimes of aggressor, Czech president says, calling for assurances and ‘full say’ for Europe
Separately, Czech president Petr Pavel has struck a similar tone as he warned that “for the peace plan to be just, it must not punish the victim or overlook the crimes committed.”
Pavel, a retired army general, noted that the “details of the latest proposal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine are not official yet,” but stressed that “it remains the case that the bloodshed could stop at once with a ceasefire, which Russia continues to refuse.”
He added that if any peace deal is to have a lasting effect, “it must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty, ability to chart its own course, and decent future.”
“Ukrainians and Europeans know Russia all too well and need credible assurances that this aggression will not return. That is why Ukraine and Europe must have a full say in any settlement,” he added.
You can’t reward aggressor as it invites more aggression, EU’s Kallas warns
Speaking on the sidelines of the EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, Kallas further stresses that “for any peace to be sustainable, it has to have certain elements” to meet all parties’ expectations.
“If you just give in to the aggression, then you invite for more aggression and this is dangerous,” she says.
“This is dangerous, not only for us in Europe, but also our Indo-Pacific partners, because all those countries around that might have an appetite for the neighbours’ territories will learn that this is this is okay, it pays off. And this is a very dangerous moment for all,” she says.
She also says:
“We all want this war to end, but how it ends matters. Russia has no legal right whatsoever to any concessions from the country it invaded, ultimately the terms of any agreement are for Ukraine to decide.”
Oh, that’s interesting.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, speaking in Brussels, says the US sanctions on Russia are due to kick in today, and she pointedly adds that “I hope we don’t see … a decision that these sanctions are postponed, because this is exactly what Russia wants.”
