LONDON – Polish President Karol Nawrocki issued a strong warning on Saturday that any peace plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine must be explicitly approved by Kyiv and cannot, under any circumstances, allow Moscow to achieve its strategic objectives. The statement, posted on the social media platform X, reflects deepening European concern over a controversial 28-point framework drafted by the United States under President Donald Trump, which many view as heavily favoring Russian demands at the expense of Ukrainian sovereignty.
Nawrocki, who took office in August 2025 after a closely contested election, stressed that Ukraine – the victim of what he called “Putin’s criminal aggression” – must have the decisive say in any negotiations. “Each and every peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine started by the Russian Federation must be accepted in Kyiv,” he wrote. He emphasized that Ukrainians, supported by the United States and European Union nations, alone should determine the terms of peace and that the price of any agreement “cannot in any way be the achievement of strategic goals by the aggressor.”
The Polish leader’s intervention comes amid intense debate over the U.S.-proposed 28-point plan, details of which emerged earlier this week. The draft reportedly requires Ukraine to cede additional territory, including formal recognition of Russian control over Crimea and large parts of the Donbas region, impose strict limits on the size and capabilities of its armed forces, and permanently abandon aspirations to join NATO. Additional provisions include granting official status to the Russian language, amnesty for separatists in occupied areas, and the creation of a demilitarized buffer zone.
President Trump has given Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy until Thursday, November 27 – U.S. Thanksgiving Day – to respond to the proposal. Sources indicate that Washington has made clear that refusal could lead to a significant reduction in military and intelligence support.
In a televised address on Friday, Zelenskyy described the moment as one of profound difficulty for Ukraine, saying the country faces a choice between “the loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.” He warned of an extremely harsh winter ahead and reiterated that any peace must be dignified and provide real security guarantees against future Russian aggression.
The plan has triggered alarm across Europe. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement at the G20 summit in Johannesburg calling for substantial revisions, particularly regarding military restrictions that could leave Ukraine defenseless. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that “there should be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
Poland, which shares a long border with Ukraine and has taken in more than 1.5 million refugees since 2022, has been one of Kyiv’s most consistent allies. Warsaw has supplied tanks, artillery, and air-defense systems and serves as a major transit hub for Western aid. Nawrocki’s sharply worded statement signals Warsaw’s determination to prevent any settlement imposed on Ukraine against its will.
From Moscow’s perspective, the American proposal aligns closely with President Putin’s long-standing demands. Russian officials have described it as a potential foundation for ending the conflict, though they continue to insist on “denazification” and “demilitarization” – terms widely rejected in Kyiv and the West as propaganda cover for territorial annexation and political subjugation.
On the ground, fighting continues without pause. Recent Russian missile and drone attacks have caused significant civilian casualties, while Ukrainian forces report limited counteroffensives in the Kharkiv region supported by Western-supplied aircraft. Ukraine’s economy has contracted sharply since the invasion began in February 2022, with reconstruction costs now estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
With a crucial meeting of U.S., European, Ukrainian, and NATO security officials scheduled for Sunday in Geneva, the coming days will be decisive. European leaders are working urgently to strengthen security guarantees and explore alternative frameworks that preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and ability to defend itself.
President Nawrocki’s message is unequivocal: genuine peace in Europe cannot be built on the capitulation of a nation that has spent nearly four years resisting invasion. Whether the tight American deadline forces Kyiv into painful concessions or galvanizes a unified European pushback remains to be seen, but the outcome will shape the continent’s security architecture for decades to come.
