Zelensky vows not to ‘betray’ country as Vance calls hopes of victory ‘fantasy’ - Ukrainian president says his country faces ‘one of the most difficult moments in our history’ in address to the nation

The Ukrainian president’s options are narrowing as he is confronted with a 28-point proposal drafted by American and Russian envoys.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation regarding the U.S. peace plan to end the war, saying that Ukraine is “at one of the most difficult moments” in its history.

Ukraine “must determine its future under its sovereignty”, Sir Keir Starmer has said following a call with Volodymyr Zelensky about a US-backed peace plan.The Prime Minister said he along with French and German leaders had emphasised to Mr Zelensky their support for Ukraine and the “fundamental principle” that Kyiv should be in charge of its own destiny.

An anti-Zelensky political coalition is coalescing as the president’s allies are accused of enriching themselves while the country’s soldiers die on the battlefield.

Corruption probes have on occasion targeted Zelensky’s administration, and he has often clashed with the agency behind the latest one, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). But no investigation has posed a greater threat to the president’s standing among the people of Ukraine,

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that after talks with a top US Army official, he is ready for "honest" work with the US on a plan to end the war in Ukraine, while European allies pushed back against punishing concessions to Russia.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing the second-biggest test of his presidency — and it may prove even trickier than leading the country's resistance against Russia. But it is this challenge that will determine whether he goes down in history as simply a brave man or a principled leader truly worthy of this country.