Zelenskiy vows not to betray Ukraine after US presents plan demanding concessions
www.reuters.com
... President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appealed to Ukrainians for unity on Friday and vowed he would never betray Ukraine, in a solemn address to the nation after the United States presented Kyiv with a peace plan that endorses key Russian demands.
Speaking in the street outside his office, a location he uses only rarely for major addresses, Zelenskiy said Ukraine was trying to preserve its freedom while retaining the support of its most important ally.
"Now is one of the most difficult moments of our history. Now, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the heaviest. Now, Ukraine can face a very difficult choice " either losing dignity or risk losing a major partner," he said.
"I will fight 24/7 to ensure that at least two points in the plan are not overlooked -- the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians," Zelenskiy said.
Washington has presented Kyiv with a 28-point plan, which calls for Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits to its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO.
Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Washington has given Ukraine a week to accept the framework.
The United States had threatened to cut off intelligence sharing and weapons supplies for Ukraine if it does not accept the deal, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity to disclose the contents of private meetings. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment....
