Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told his nation on Friday that Kyiv may face a pivotal decision between defending its sovereignty and preserving critical American support, amid U.S. peace proposals widely seen as favouring Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed cautious approval of the initiative, which seeks to end Moscow’s nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine. The plan incorporates many of the Kremlin’s long-standing demands while offering limited security guarantees to Kyiv.

Putin described the proposal as potentially forming “the foundation for a final peace agreement,” while accusing Ukraine of rejecting the plan and being unrealistic.

The initiative would require Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, scale back its military, and halt its pursuit of NATO membership—a package Kyiv has repeatedly dismissed.

Zelenskyy did not outright reject the plan but stressed the need for fair treatment. He pledged to “collaborate calmly” with Washington and other allies during what he called “genuinely one of the most challenging periods in our history.”