Zelensky can 'fight his little heart out' says Trump as US pitches Ukraine peace plan

Zelensky has not yet spoken directly with US President Donald Trump since the peace plan became public earlier this week.

Published on: Nov 23, 2025, 09:56:40 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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US President Donald Trump has pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a new 28-point peace proposal aimed at ending nearly four years of war with Russia. Speaking outside the White House on Saturday, Trump said the plan was both “good” and “necessary” to bring the conflict to a close.

US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept a revised 28-point peace proposal. (AP)

He warned that Kyiv should agree to the proposal by Thanksgiving. When asked if this deadline marked his final offer, Trump said it was not, but stressed that peace must be achieved soon. He added that if Ukraine refused the deal, Zelensky could “fight his little heart out.”

Zelensky has not yet spoken directly with Trump since the peace plan became public earlier this week. However, he has indicated that a conversation is expected in the coming days, AP reported. Any discussion is likely to be difficult, adding to a long history of tense exchanges between the two leaders.

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A central element of Trump’s proposal is the demand that Ukraine surrender the entire Donbas region in the east. Much of this territory is still under Ukrainian control, despite years of heavy fighting. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War have assessed that, at Russia’s current pace, it would take several more years for its forces to capture the whole area.

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Trump, however, maintains that Ukraine’s loss of the region is inevitable. The area includes several key cities that serve as defensive, industrial and logistical centres for Ukrainian troops, making the proposed concession deeply contentious in Kyiv.

“They will lose in a short period of time. You know so,” Trump said Friday when asked during a Fox News Radio interview about his push on Ukraine to give up the territory. “They’re losing land. They’re losing land.”

(With agency inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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