US President Donald Trump confirmed that Kyiv has until Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, to sign a 28-point deal drafted by Washington in coordination with Moscow, backing up earlier reports.
Reuters had previously reported the same deadline, suggesting that Kyiv was also warned of possible cuts to arms aid and intelligence sharing during a Thursday meeting in the capital.
Speaking on Fox News Radio on Friday, Trump said he believes Thursday is “appropriate.”
“Thursday is, we think, an appropriate time,” he said, adding that the deadline could be extended if things are “going well.”
Trump’s remarks also confirm earlier reports that the plan – reportedly spearheaded by his envoy Steve Witkoff and likely developed alongside Kremlin financial envoy Kirill Dmitriev – had his full backing.
Ukraine confirmed the receipt of a draft from US representatives on Thursday, with media reports suggesting it includes 28 points amounting to Kyiv’s surrender. A top Kyiv official said on Friday morning that Ukraine is deliberating over the deal.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Friday that the plan does include 28 points in a video address, describing the situation as “one of the hardest moments in our history.”
“Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely harsh winter. A life without freedom, without dignity, without justice. And to trust someone who has already attacked us twice,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky walked a fine line between accepting the deal and outright rejecting it, saying his teams are working tirelessly to secure favorable terms while adding that Kyiv “will not give the enemy any reason to claim that Ukraine is unwilling to make peace or engage diplomatically.”
European leaders have pledged “full and unwavering support” for Kyiv, though what concrete steps they will take remains uncertain.
Zelensky also confirmed that he held a phone call with US Vice President JD Vance for an hour on Friday. Vance had echoed some pro-Kremlin narratives in the past, including accusing Zelensky during the infamous White House clash of organizing “propaganda tours” of Bucha, the location of the massacre committed by Russian troops against Ukrainian civilians at the onset of the 2022 invasion.
According to the version circulated by the media, the 28-point plan reportedly includes a clause that calls for “full amnesty” for all parties’ actions during the war.