According to the newspaper, Zelensky told European leaders that during a two‑hour call on Saturday, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner pressed him to make a quick decision. A source briefed on the proposed timeline said Trump hopes to secure a cease-fire deal “before Christmas.”
The FT said the proposal would require Kyiv to accept territorial losses in exchange for unspecified U.S. security guarantees. Zelensky reportedly told the U.S. envoys he needs time to consult European allies before responding.
A Western official quoted by the paper said Ukraine is “torn between territorial demands it cannot accept and U.S. demands it cannot reject” and fears Washington could act without Europe’s backing, risking Western unity.
Zelensky has been holding rapid consultations in European capitals, meeting Monday in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, before traveling to Brussels for talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
On Tuesday, he continued to Rome for meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Leo XIV.
Zelensky said on X that work on the peace framework is “very active” and that Ukrainian and European elements of the plan are well developed. He said Kyiv is ready to present them to U.S. partners.
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Source: Financial Times, PAP, IAR