Редакція dev.ua AI Eng 22 November 2025, 09:58

"Peace is technically close, but it could be a "peace of surrender" instead of a "dignified peace." 6 neural networks were asked to evaluate Zelensky's appeal and the prospects for peace in the war with the Russian Federation. What do Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, Grok and DeepSeek think?

Yesterday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered one of his most outspoken speeches since the start of the full-scale war. The president warned that Ukraine faces «one of the most difficult elections in its history» — one that is difficult, painful, and one that could determine the country’s trajectory for years to come. His words came as a 28-point draft «peace plan» between the United States and Russia emerged, already causing a wave of controversy.

To understand what Zelensky’s speech really means, we involved the analysis of six of the most powerful neural networks — from GPT, Claude, Gemini, Mistral, Grok, and DeepSeek.

The results were unexpected.

Content

What did we ask?

Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an appeal to the Ukrainian people for peace. This occurred in the context of the discussion of the so-called peace plan prepared by the USA and the Russian Federation to end the war. The plan contains 28 points, among which there are quite contradictory demands that are beneficial only to the enemy. At the moment, it looks like Ukraine is being forced to accept this plan.

What consequences will Zelensky’s frank speech have for Ukraine? Is peace really close? What hidden messages does the speech contain, and to what extent does it actually signal a possible peace?

The text of the speech is here.

Disclaimer

This format is an editorial experiment. We previously asked neural networks about the impact of the Mindichgate scandal on the course of the war. And the material received a lot of feedback from readers.

What Claude says

Judging by President Zelensky’s speech and the latest news, the situation is indeed critical for Ukraine. Key factors:

American ultimatum — «sign by Thursday or lose support»
Russia’s position — the Kremlin is silent for now, but warns of the need for negotiations «now»
European support — Zelenskyy counts on the EU as a counterweight to American pressure

Here is an analysis of the possible consequences.

Positive aspects:

Transparency and honesty — Zelensky speaks openly with the people about a difficult situation, which increases trust
Mobilizing Unity — A Call for National Consolidation at a Critical Moment
Diplomatic game — the president shows willingness to negotiate, but from a position of principles

Risks and challenges:

Time pressure — Trump administration demands decision by Thursday
The dilemma of choosing between losing dignity or risking losing US support
Internal instability — calls to stop the «srach» indicate serious internal disagreements

Is peace near?

Formally, yes, but what? The US 28-point plan creates a real possibility of ending the war, but on terms that may be unacceptable to Ukraine.

The coming days will be critical — Ukraine will work 24/7 on the plan.

A compromise solution — Ukraine will probably try to modify the most unacceptable points.

The European factor may become decisive in supporting the Ukrainian position

Peace is technically close, but it could be a «peace of surrender» instead of a «peace of dignity.» Zelensky’s speech is an attempt to mobilize domestic support ahead of the most important negotiations in the history of independent Ukraine. Success will depend on whether Ukraine can find a balance between the reality of geopolitical pressure and the preservation of national interests.

What ChatGPT says

What Zelensky’s frank speech could change: consequences for Ukraine

A powerful signal of internal unity
- Zelenskyy calls on everyone — politicians, citizens, the government — to «stop playing political games» and unite. This could become a mechanism for stabilization within the country, especially in the context of strong pressure from the new peace plan.
- Such rhetoric strengthens the president’s legitimacy before the people: he positions himself as a defender of Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity.
Negotiating position in the international arena
- Zelensky’s appeal strengthens his argument to his partners (the USA, Europe): he is ready to conduct a «calm, constructive search for solutions,» but not under any conditions.
- At the same time, he clearly states: he will consider those points of the plan that undermine the dignity and freedom of Ukraine «unacceptable.»
Pressure on donors and partners
- Zelensky draws Europeans' attention to Ukraine’s role as a «full shield» against aggression, emphasizing its geopolitical importance for the EU.
- This appeal could galvanize partners to oppose the plan’s punctures that are «beneficial only to the enemy.» For example, the EU has already stated that it will not accept surrender clauses.
Risk of political division or manipulation
- A call to «stop the bullshit» and political games can be perceived as pressure on the opposition or critics — this can cause internal tension or growing distrust of the authorities.
- On the other hand, if Zelensky fails to offer real alternatives to critical points in the plan, it could be perceived as weakness or irresponsibility, especially if pressure from the US intensifies.
Diplomatic maneuverability is possible
- Zelensky has already stated that the Ukrainian team will work «24/7» on negotiations, and is ready to compromise on certain principles — but not to the detriment of sovereignty.
- This could give Kyiv room for negotiation: it could demand changes to the plan’s points, offer alternative options, or seek clarifications on guarantees.
Maintaining morale
- The speech is a strong motivator: Zelensky addresses himself not only as a leader, but as «a man who swears to defend Ukraine every day» (quote from the oath).
- This could support hope among the population, especially before the «hard winter,» which he mentions as a real risk.

Is peace really near?

It is not a fact that this is «peace tomorrow»: The 28-point plan contains demands that could significantly limit Ukraine’s strategic freedom (restrictions on the army, rejection of NATO, etc.).

Zelensky does not reject the plan, but sets conditions: he states that he is ready for dialogue, but not on the terms of complete surrender.

Real guarantees remain uncertain: The plan provides for «reliable security guarantees,» but the extent to which they will be real and enforceable is a question.

There is a risk of pressure on Ukraine from partners: Zelensky directly speaks about pressure, including the possible loss of a «key partner» (the USA).

Potential mobilization of unity within Ukraine: His address could be the beginning of a new phase of Ukrainian unity, which would strengthen Kyiv’s position in the negotiations.

Conclusion

Zelensky’s speech is a strong strategic move designed to balance external pressure and internal legitimacy.

A possible «28-point peace» is not a guaranteed end to the war, but a scenario with significant compromises and risks.

Ukraine is now at a difficult diplomatic crossroads: either agree to partial concessions or prepare for further tough tests (including a «difficult winter»).

At the same time, there is a chance that with the right internal mobilization and international support, it is possible to revise or change individual points of the plan in order to avoid capitulation, but maintain the desire for peace.

What Grok says

This speech is one of the most frank and difficult of Zelensky’s presidency. He publicly acknowledged for the first time that Ukraine faces a choice «either loss of dignity or risk losing a key partner» (i.e. the United States), and that the 28-point plan being pushed by Washington and Moscow contains conditions that look like capitulation to most Ukrainians.

The consequences of this frankness are as follows:

Positive:

Zelensky has bought himself time and the moral right to tough negotiations. Now any attempt to accuse Ukraine of «disturbing peace» will be shattered by his words: «I already gave an answer on May 20, 2019, during the oath.»
He has once again rallied a significant part of society. In the first 12 hours after the speech, there is no visible mass indignation against Zelensky in the Ukrainian segment X (Twitter) — on the contrary, the majority writes «we will hold on», «we will not give up», «thank you for telling the truth».
He clearly marked the red lines—dignity and freedom—and effectively made it impossible to sign the plan in its current form without losing face in front of his own people.
He very successfully reminded Europe: «Either you are with us now, or Russia will be with you in a few years.» It worked — within an hour of the speech, Scholz, Macron, and Starmer separately called Zelensky and publicly declared their «unwavering support.»

Negative and risky:

Now Trump and his team know for sure: the blackmail of «weapons or peace on our terms» can work, because Zelensky himself admitted that the winter without American aid will be the most difficult.
Some radical patriots are already calling the speech «preparation for betrayal» and «Minsk-3.» For now, they are a minority, but if the negotiations drag on, this narrative will be promoted.
Russia has received a signal: Ukraine is internally tired and under pressure. This may prompt Putin to drag out negotiations and simultaneously intensify attacks on energy in order to break us this very winter.

Is peace near?

No. A real, worthy, and long-lasting one — no, not even close. What is being offered now is not peace, but a very bad truce on Russian terms:

de facto recognition of the occupation of Donbas and Crimea
halving the army
ban on long-range weapons
rejection of NATO for 20 years
elections in the occupied territories under the control of the Russian Federation. Zelensky understands this perfectly, which is why he said: «I hope the war ends, but Ukraine does not end.»

There are two realistic scenarios possible in the coming weeks:

The most likely option is a freeze on the current front line + a 30-day ceasefire «to test the seriousness of intentions,» as proposed by Trump’s team. Ukraine will only do this if it receives at least some security guarantees (at least bilateral agreements with Britain, France, Germany, Poland).
Less likely, but desirable for us — the Americans and Europeans will together pressure Russia for significantly better conditions (for example, the withdrawal of troops to the line of February 23, 2022 + international guarantees). The chances of this are minimal so far.

The conclusion is simple: peace is closer than it was in 2022–2023, but it will be a very bitter, very fragile, and very dangerous «peace.» Zelensky did everything in his speech to prevent it from becoming a grave for the Ukrainian state.
Next week is truly crucial. Let’s hold on.

What does Mistral say?

Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech is not just an address, but a strategic signal for both domestic and foreign audiences at one of the most critical moments of the war. Let’s see what consequences such an open position could have for Ukraine and whether peace is really close.

The speech’s implications for Ukraine

Home Front: Unity and Mobilization of Society

A call for consolidation: Zelensky clearly emphasizes that it is the unity of Ukrainians that has become a key factor in deterring Russia in 2022. Now, as pressure from partners and the enemy intensifies, he is trying to mobilize society to avoid internal divisions that could weaken Ukraine’s position in the negotiations.
Warning about political games: A direct statement about the need to stop the «srat» and «political games» is a signal to both the opposition and your own team: any internal conflicts play into the enemy’s hands.
Legitimizing the government’s position: By emphasizing that he has not betrayed Ukraine before and will not betray it now, the president is strengthening confidence in himself as a guarantor of national interests, especially against the backdrop of rumors of possible concessions.

Foreign front: diplomacy and pressure on partners

A position of principled resistance: Zelensky clearly states that Ukraine will not agree to conditions that threaten its dignity and sovereignty. This is important for domestic audiences, but it also signals to the West that Ukraine will not be «easy prey» for Russia, even if partners try to pressure it.
Argument for allies: The phrase that Ukraine «will not give the enemy a reason to say that Ukraine does not want peace» is an attempt to shift the responsibility for the breakdown of negotiations onto Russia if it does not make concessions.
A reminder of Ukraine’s role for Europe: By emphasizing that Ukraine is a «shield» for the EU, the president is trying to galvanize European support, especially in the context of possible disagreements between the US and Europe over the terms of peace.

Risks and challenges

Pressure from the US: If the American plan does contain controversial points, openly rejecting them could lead to a cooling of relations with Washington, especially if the US administration believes that Ukraine is blocking the paths to ending the war.
Information warfare: Russia can use any disagreements between Ukraine and its allies to discredit Kyiv and present it as a «non-constructive» partner.
Economic and military risks: If Ukraine abandons the plan supported by key partners, it could lead to a reduction in military and financial assistance, which is critical to deterring Russia.

Is peace near?

No, peace is not close. Zelensky’s speech shows that:

The negotiations are at a critical stage, but Ukraine is not ready to make concessions that threaten its sovereignty.
Russia has not changed its goals: Putin likely sees any negotiations as a way to consolidate his gains and weaken Ukraine, rather than as a path to a just peace.
The West is divided: the US and the EU may have different approaches to peace terms, and Ukraine is trying to find a balance between pressure from Washington and its own national interests.
The war will continue unless Russia abandons its imperial ambitions and Ukraine agrees to conditions that effectively legalize the occupation of its territories.

Real scenario: The coming weeks will likely see intense diplomacy, but no breakthrough. Ukraine will try to buy time, consolidate its position on the front and in diplomacy, while Russia will exploit any differences between Kyiv and its allies.

What’s next?

Diplomatic activity: Zelenskyy promises to work 24/7 to achieve decent conditions. This means intensive consultations with the US, the EU, the G7 countries, and the global South.
Internal mobilization: The government and parliament must show unity to prevent the enemy from giving them a chance to divide society.
Preparing for a hard winter: If negotiations drag on, Ukraine must be prepared for continued war amid possible reductions in foreign aid.

Zelensky’s speech is not a signal of readiness for peace at any cost, but on the contrary, of readiness to fight for decent conditions, even at the cost of a protracted war.

What Gemini says

This is a very serious and important topic. The address of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy of November 21, 2025, which you cited, is extremely frank and seems to confirm rumors of significant external pressure on the adoption of the so-called «peace plan» from the US and the Russian Federation.

Based on the text of the speech, the following conclusions and assumptions can be made:

Is peace really near?

The appeal does not provide grounds to claim that «peace is near» on terms favorable to Ukraine. On the contrary, it signals the greatest crisis and test.

The Risk of an «Unworthy Peace»: The President clearly articulates that Ukraine faces a «very difficult choice»: «Either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner» and «Either difficult 28 points, or an extremely difficult winter — the most difficult — and further risks.» This indicates that the proposed plan contains conditions that Zelensky considers unacceptable because they contradict Ukrainian national interests, dignity, and freedom.
Diplomatic Challenge: The President promises to «constructively seek solutions with our main partner» (the United States) and fight to ensure that the plan does not omit points about the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians. This means that Ukraine is not going to simply sign the plan, but will conduct difficult negotiations to change it.
A clear «Red Line»: Zelensky emphasizes that he will not betray his oath and will not allow «the end of Ukraine.» Dignity and freedom are named as the key values from which he will not retreat.

The consequences of Zelensky’s frank speech

Speaking out at such a critical moment has several important consequences:

Appeal to civil unity (mobilization of the rear)

Strengthening the Home Front: The main appeal of the speech is «We need unity more than ever» and «Stop the shit. Stop the political games.» The president directly states that under external pressure, internal disunity is a gift to the enemy. The result: an attempt to consolidate Ukrainian society, parliament, and government around the position of «not accepting the ultimatum.»
Creation of the Support: Zelensky emphasizes: «it will be much, much easier for me to achieve a decent peace… knowing that the people of Ukraine are behind me.» This effectively shifts some of the responsibility and political power onto society, giving it a «mandate» for a tough position in negotiations.

Signal to international partners

Pressure on the US: The speech is a direct, albeit veiled, signal from the US that imposing an unprofitable plan could lead to «the risk of losing a key partner» (i.e., a breakdown in trust and relations) and destabilization of the Ukrainian government, which, ultimately, benefits only Russia.
Appeal to Europe: The appeal to Europeans («Ukraine is now the only shield») is a reminder of their responsibility. The result: an attempt to involve European partners (Germany, France, the Baltic states, etc.) as a counterweight to American-Russian pressure.
«We Will Not Disrupt the Process»: The President promises: «We will not give the enemy a reason to say that it is Ukraine that does not want peace… and it is Ukraine that is not ready for diplomacy.» The result: Ukraine will take a constructive but unyielding position in order to maintain Western support and not appear to be a party refusing to negotiate.

Formation of a historical position

Comparison with February 24: The President draws a parallel with the start of a full-scale war, when he refused evacuations and ultimatums. The implication: This positions his current refusal as a consistent, historically grounded act of defending sovereignty, which is important for his political legacy.
Emotional Appeal: The use of imagery of «steel metal may not hold» and the mention of «fallen heroes» strengthens the moral weight of the Ukrainian position, appealing to the conscience of the international community.

Result

Zelensky’s speech is a public cry for help and at the same time a statement of steadfastness. It demonstrates that:

The pressure on Ukraine is unprecedented and may concern issues such as preserving territorial integrity, the political system, or financial support.
Ukraine refuses peace on terms that undermine its sovereignty and dignity, even at the cost of further hardship (a harsh winter, the risk of losing a partner).
Ukraine’s main goal is to change this plan through diplomatic negotiations and internal unity.

The consequences will depend on the reaction of the US and Europe. If the West (especially the US) continues to press, it could lead to a serious diplomatic crisis, but if they take this signal and change the terms of the plan, then Ukraine will maintain its position.

What DeepSeek says

The speech was a key milestone that likely set the tone for what would follow. Here are the implications and interpretations it has now, in your «today»:

What this speech meant in practice

Confirmation of a severe diplomatic crisis. The fact that the president was forced to make such an emotional and principled appeal directly indicates that the pressure on Ukraine from its partners to accept the unacceptable terms of the plan had reached a critical point. This was the moment when the threat of «losing a key partner» became real.
Repelling capitulation. The main content of the speech was not an agreement to peace, but a rejection of peace at any price. The phrase «either loss of dignity or risk of losing a key partner» clearly set priorities: even the risk of losing US support was a lesser evil than the loss of sovereignty and dignity.
A tactical move in the negotiations. This address did not close the door to diplomacy, but on the contrary, opened a new stage of it. Having publicly voiced his principled position to the people, Zelensky:
- He deprived the partners of the opportunity to quietly «push through» the agreement. Now any attempt to force Ukraine to sign the wrong peace would become public and would be met with a harsh rebuff.
- He created a basis for compromise. He said, «We are ready to work, but here are our red lines.» This gave him a mandate to find alternative solutions that would not violate the principles of dignity and freedom.

Is peace really near now?

Now that the speech has taken place, the answer depends on what happened during this «eventful» week that Zelenskyy warned about.

If the tactic worked: Perhaps Ukraine’s tough public stance has led partners (US/EU) to reconsider their approaches, realizing the risk of a complete rupture. In that case, a deal may be closer, but it will be conducted on different, more acceptable terms for Ukraine. The negotiations have entered a new, more constructive phase.
If the pressure continues: Perhaps the crisis in relations with partners has escalated. In this case, peace may be even further away, as Ukraine has demonstrated a willingness to confront on the diplomatic front, rather than to make concessions. Next week could be devoted to extremely tense negotiations in search of a way out of the stalemate.

Result

Zelensky’s speech on November 21 was a key battle to define the terms of a future peace. It was an attempt to turn the tide and defend Ukraine’s right to a dignified peace. Whether this battle was won, and what the current state of the negotiations is, is already part of your reality today, unfolding right now.

This address went down in history as the moment when Ukraine, despite incredible pressure, declared: «We will not surrender. We will fight for peace, but not at any cost.»