U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelensky. EPA Yonhap News

Sources familiar with the matter said that the United States is threatening to halt arms supplies and information sharing with Ukraine, pressuring it to accept a peace agreement.

Sources, who requested anonymity, told Reuters on the 21st (local time) that Ukraine is facing greater pressure from the U.S. government than in any previous peace negotiations.

They added that the U.S. wants Ukraine to sign the basic framework of the agreement by the 27th. "The U.S. wants the war to stop and wants Ukraine to pay the price," one source said.

As the U.S. pressures Ukraine with a draft peace proposal that largely reflects Russia's position, European allies with vested interests have reconfirmed their strong support for Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German opposition leader Friedrich Merz held a joint phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky on this day.

The Élysée Palace, the French presidential office, said in a statement that "all participants emphasized that any solution to the Ukraine issue must fully include Ukraine, preserve its sovereignty, and ensure its future security."

The Élysée Palace also added that the leaders reaffirmed that "any decision affecting the interests of Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) requires the joint support and agreement of European partners and NATO allies."

President Zelensky also announced on X (formerly Twitter) about the meeting with European leaders on this day, stating, "We are reviewing the document prepared by the U.S. side. It must be a plan that guarantees a real and dignified peace."

He added, "We are closely cooperating to ensure that our principled position is reflected," and explained, "We have coordinated future actions, and the working teams have agreed to move forward together."

In an additional message, President Zelensky said, "We are striving to ensure that Ukraine's national interests are reflected at all stages of relations with our partners," and added, "Currently, meetings, calls, and negotiations are taking place almost every hour, and provisions that can change a lot are being discussed."

He then emphasized, "The result must be a dignified peace."

Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also told reporters in Brussels on the same day, "We all want this war to end, but how it ends is important," and added, "The EU and Ukraine will not succumb to Russia's aggression," Reuters reported.

Kallas reiterated, "Russia has no legal right to receive any concessions from the invaded country," and said, "Ultimately, Ukraine will decide the terms of any agreement."

Yonhap News