Trump renews efforts for peace between Ukraine and Russia
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott joins “America’s Newsroom” to discuss President Donald Trump’s intentions to bring peace between Ukraine and Russia, including a reported deal that would ask Ukraine to cede more territory.
A US-backed framework to end the war in Ukraine – put together by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, with input through Kiev and Moscow channels – is causing unrest among European allies and putting new pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelenskiy, who has ruled out recognizing Russian sovereignty over Ukrainian lands, issued one of his sharpest public messages yet, warning that Kiev is entering “one of the most difficult moments in our history.”
In comments released by Reuters on Friday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is under great pressure and could soon face what he called “a very difficult choice: either lose its dignity, or risk losing an important partner. Either 28 difficult points, or an extremely difficult winter – the most difficult yet – and even more risks. A life without freedom, without dignity, without justice. And we are expected to trust someone who has already attacked us twice.”
WITKOFF MEETS UKRAINE OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK FOR EMERGENCY UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING: ‘VERY PRODUCTIVE’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is greeted by US President Donald Trump (L) upon arrival at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 18, 2025. President Zelensky said today (Friday) that Ukraine and the United States will “work on the provisions of the plan” and are ready for “constructive, fair and expeditious work.” (Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynold/AFP via Getty Images))
Zelenskyy urged Ukrainians to remain disciplined as negotiations with Washington continue. “We will not make any loud statements; we will work quietly with America and all our partners,” he said. “I will present arguments, I will convince, I will offer alternatives, but we will certainly not give the enemy any reason to say that Ukraine does not want peace, that it disrupts the process and that Ukraine is not ready for diplomacy. That will not happen.”
Warning of intensified efforts to divide the country, he said Ukrainians should expect “a lot of pressure – political, informational and other forms of pressure – to weaken us,” but vowed that “we have no right to allow that,” insisting “we will succeed.”
According to multiple sources, a working draft would call for Kyiv to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia, limit Western long-range attacks inside Russia and limit Ukrainian forces to around 600,000 troops.
The White House says Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio worked “quietly” on the plan and involved both sides. President Donald Trump has been briefed and supports the effort to finalize the framework before the holidays.
Zelenskyy is preparing for a phone call with Trump, having already spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice President JD Vance on Friday.
Ukraine has formally received the document. Zelensky said Ukraine and the United States would “work on the provisions of the plan,” and that Kiev is ready for “constructive, fair and rapid work.” He has repeatedly ruled out recognition of Russian sovereignty over any Ukrainian territory, previously saying there can be “no reward for waging war.”
“We are working to ensure that Ukraine’s national interests are taken into account at every level of our relations with partners.” Zelenskyy posted Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter.
ZELENSKYY SEEKS ‘STRONG RESPONSE’ FROM US IF PUTIN IS NOT READY FOR BILATERAL MEETING
President Donald Trump walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as they arrive at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today (Friday) that Russia has not received “officially anything” from Washington about the 28-point plan. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Washington and Moscow are not yet discussing the proposals in detail, but that contacts are taking place. “There are certain ideas on the American side, but nothing substantive is being discussed at the moment. We are completely open – we maintain our openness to peace negotiations,” Peskov told reporters.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz urged urgency at a Security Council briefing on Thursday, saying diplomacy is “the only path to a lasting and just peace.” Waltz said Washington has “proposed generous terms for Russia, including sanctions relief,” and pledged that “under the leadership of President Trump, the United States will continue to pursue a path to peace in Ukraine.”
Ukraine’s deputy representative to the United Nations, Khrystyna Hayovyshyn, strongly distanced herself from Thursday’s Security Council meeting, saying Kiev will reject any arrangement that endangers its sovereignty. “There will never be any recognition, formal or otherwise, of Ukrainian territory temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation as Russian. Our land is not for sale,” she said. Hayovyshyn stressed that “Ukraine will not accept any restrictions on its right to self-defense or on the size and capabilities of our armed forces, nor will we tolerate any infringement on our sovereignty, including our sovereign right to choose the alliances we wish to join.”
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Firefighters work at the scene of a burning building after a Russian attack in Kiev, Ukraine, early Thursday, August 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
The This is reported by the Associated Press that the leaders of Germany, France and Britain spoke to Zelenskyy on Friday to reaffirm their “unwavering and full support towards a lasting and just peace,” as diplomats rushed to parse a US proposal that many heard for the first time through the media. German newspaper Bild said Merz canceled a domestic appearance to hold crisis talks with both Zelenskyy and Trump.
