Shameless US Pressure: Ukraine's Everything at Thanksgiving Stake

High-Stakes Diplomacy: The Thanksgiving Ultimatum

In a dramatic turn of events, the United States is applying intense pressure on Ukraine to accept a controversial peace proposal by Thanksgiving, risking a complete collapse of Western support if Kyiv refuses. According to sources familiar with the talks, the White House has delivered an ultimatum: sign the 28-point plan drafted by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev by late November or face the withdrawal of all US assistance.

"Ukraine may face a very tough choice — either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner." — President Volodymyr Zelensky

The leaked proposal contains conditions that Ukrainian officials have deemed non-starters. It demands Ukraine significantly reduce its military from 800,000-850,000 personnel to 600,000, cede territories to Russia that Moscow hasn't even conquered militarily—including parts of Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—and enshrine in its constitution a permanent ban on NATO membership. In return, Ukraine would receive vague "reliable security guarantees" with no concrete details.

European Powers Push Back

European leaders are rallying against what they call a "pure Russian" plan. France, Germany, and Britain have held emergency talks with Zelensky to coordinate a counterproposal, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz directly engaging President Trump. European diplomats argue the plan would cement Russia's territorial gains and leave Ukraine strategically vulnerable.

"This is everything for Ukraine—our sovereignty, our future, our very existence," lamented one senior European diplomat involved in the crisis talks. "The pressure is extraordinary, and we're working to ensure European interests aren't sacrificed in this shameless rush for a deal."

Trump's Thanksgiving Deadline

President Trump has set an aggressive timeline, suggesting Thursday would be "appropriate" for agreement. "He'll have to like it. And if he doesn't like it, then they should just keep fighting, I guess," Trump commented dismissively from the Oval Office. This approach has left Ukraine navigating between an aggressive US stance and Russian demands, with European allies caught in the middle.

The Fallout of a Hesitant Deal

If Ukraine refuses the proposal, the US threatens to withdraw all support—even cutting off intelligence sharing and weapons transfers routed through European partners. Yet analysts note that any complete withdrawal would take at least two weeks to implement, giving Kyiv a small window to negotiate changes. Zelensky has signaled willingness to propose alternatives but insists on preserving Ukraine's core sovereignty.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Ukraine stands at a precipice. The European response could determine whether the continent maintains its unified stance or fractures under US pressure. The outcome will reshape the geopolitical landscape and define the meaning of "security guarantees" for a nation fighting for its survival.