A fresh wave of global tension erupted on Friday after Poland’s president, Karol Nawrocki, warned that any peace initiative aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war must receive full approval from Kyiv—not be imposed from abroad. His remarks came shortly after reports that Washington had delivered a firm message to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: accept the U.S.-drafted peace framework or risk losing vital support.

The proposed American plan, a 28-point document obtained by Reuters, outlines a roadmap that has already stirred intense political and public debate. The draft suggests Ukraine would have to make profound concessions, including surrendering some of its territory, restricting certain military capabilities, and shelving its long-held ambition to join NATO. While the proposal also contains demands that Russia is unlikely to welcome—such as withdrawing from specific occupied zones—it nonetheless places the heaviest burdens on Kyiv.

Reacting sharply, President Nawrocki argued that no nation has the moral authority to dictate terms to a country fighting for its survival. Posting on X late Friday, he stressed that “Ukraine was the victim of Putin’s criminal aggression,” and any peace agreement must reflect the will of the Ukrainian people, not the strategic calculations of distant capitals. He added that peace cannot come at the cost of rewarding Russia, insisting that the aggressor must not profit from its invasion.

While debate surrounding the U.S. peace plan continued to intensify, a separate development emerged from Belarus—one with potential implications for the broader geopolitical landscape. State media reported that President Alexander Lukashenko had pardoned 31 Ukrainian citizens imprisoned in Belarus. According to Lukashenko’s spokesperson, Natalia Eismont, the pardons were part of an agreement reached directly between Lukashenko and U.S. President Donald Trump.

In exchange, Washington has reportedly eased sanctions on Belarus’s flag carrier, Belavia, allowing the airline to once again service and purchase parts for its largely Boeing fleet. Minsk claims the gesture is aimed at “creating conditions conducive to resolving the armed conflict” next door. The identities of the 31 Ukrainians have not been made public, nor have the specific charges they faced—though Belarus frequently detains individuals under broad “extremism” laws that rights groups say are used to silence dissent.

This latest prisoner release follows earlier moves by Lukashenko, who in recent months freed several high-profile political prisoners, journalists, and members of the clergy. Despite these gestures, human-rights monitors say more than 1,000 political detainees remain behind bars.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Russia’s defence ministry announced that its troops had captured two more settlements—Zvanivka in Donetsk and Nove Zaporizhzhia in the Zaporizhzhia region. The claims could not be independently verified.

As Europe grapples with Washington’s push for a breakthrough in the conflict, leaders weigh their next moves. Reports suggest that France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni are considering traveling to meet Donald Trump directly to negotiate adjustments to the peace plan. The UK has denied being part of these discussions, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer is not expected to visit Washington.

Inside Ukraine, conditions remain dire. Russian strikes continue targeting key energy infrastructure, leaving millions enduring prolonged blackouts. Families across Chernihiv describe living by flashlight, gathering at “invincibility points” to warm up and charge essential devices.

With Western allies promising solidarity yet privately urging progress, Zelenskyy faces what he has called “one of the most difficult choices in Ukraine’s history.” Accepting the plan could mean peace—but at the cost of sovereignty. Rejecting it could trigger consequences from abroad, including potential reductions in military and intelligence support.

As pressure mounts on all sides, one thing remains clear: Ukraine’s future is once again being shaped not just on the battlefield, but in boardrooms, foreign ministries, and presidential palaces around the world.

FAQ

1. What is the U.S. peace plan proposing?
A 28-point framework requiring Ukraine to cede territory, limit its military, and pause NATO ambitions, while asking Russia to pull back from select occupied zones.

2. Why did Poland’s president criticize the plan?
He insists that only Ukraine should decide the terms of peace because it is the nation under attack.

3. Why did Belarus pardon 31 Ukrainians?
It was part of an agreement between Lukashenko and U.S. President Donald Trump, linked to partial sanctions relief for Belavia.

4. Are European leaders supporting the U.S. plan?
They back peace efforts but argue Ukraine’s demands must be respected. Some leaders may meet Trump to negotiate changes.

5. What is happening on the battlefield?
Russia claims new territorial gains in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, while Ukraine faces severe energy shortages due to ongoing strikes.