The Munk Debates Podcast Friday Focus: leaked peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine demands major concessions from Zelensky
Nov 21, 2025
A leaked 28-point peace plan for Ukraine raises eyebrows, demanding significant concessions from Zelensky, including ceding parts of the Donbas region. The potential halting of Ukraine's NATO membership is also a hot topic. As the European landscape braces for possible war, concerns mount about the effectiveness of European deterrence and U.S. policy shifts. Political vulnerability looms over Zelensky amid corruption scandals, while senior European officials grow anxious about Russian maneuvers. The dynamics of international relations and military strategy are shifting, fueling fears across northern Europe.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Territorial Concessions Tied To Security Guarantees
- The leaked 28-point plan would force Ukraine to cede the remainder of the Donbas while Russia exerts long-term control without full occupation.
- In return, it offers Western security guarantees and effectively pauses Ukraine's NATO pathway.
Quasi-Demilitarization Creates Political Leverage
- The plan limits Ukraine's remilitarization via caps on force size and restricted weapon systems, weakening its independent defense capacity.
- That creates space for sustained Russian influence politically, economically, and militarily over Kyiv.
Seek European Backing Before Accepting Terms
- Zelensky should consult key European leaders like Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz to clarify his negotiating space.
- He can ask them to intercede with Donald Trump before making any public concessions.