Zelensky’s latest Ukraine peace plan emphasizes demilitarized zones

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined a revised peace plan that offers Russia the possibility of Ukrainian forces withdrawing from the eastern region, as requested by Moscow.

Zelensky provided specifics of the 20-point plan established by US and Ukrainian negotiators in Florida over the weekend, stating that the Russians will respond on Wednesday after the Americans have communicated with them.

Zelensky characterized the plan as “the principal framework for concluding the war,” stating it suggested security assurances from the US, NATO, and European nations for a unified military response in the event of another Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Zelensky indicated that a “free economic zone” could be a viable alternative regarding the critical issue of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas.

He informed journalists that, due to Ukraine’s opposition to withdrawal, US diplomats were seeking to construct either a demilitarized zone or a free economic zone. He emphasized that every region vacated by Ukrainian forces must be monitored by Ukraine.

Zelensky stated, “There are two alternatives: either the conflict persists, or a resolution must be reached concerning all prospective economic zones.”

The 20-point plan is regarded as a revision of the initial 28-point agreement, negotiated by US ambassador Steve Witkoff with the Russians several weeks prior, which was perceived as predominantly aligned with the Kremlin’s demands.

The Russians have demanded that Ukraine relinquish about a quarter of its territory in the eastern Donetsk area in exchange for a peace agreement. The remainder is already under Russian control.

Delicate matters, such as territorial disputes, must be addressed “at the leaders’ level”; yet, the revised proposal would furnish Ukraine with robust security assurances and a military capacity of 800,000, as articulated by Zelensky.

The revised approach closely mirrors the outcomes of recent discussions in Berlin between US negotiators Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Ukrainian and European authorities. Last weekend, the location shifted to Miami, where US President Donald Trump’s team held separate discussions with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and with Ukrainian and European authorities.

The territorial issue now appears more detailed, though it is evident that the Ukrainian side could not reach a consensus with the Americans.

Zelensky stated that if Ukraine withdraws its heavy forces by 5, 10, or 40 kilometers from the 25% of Donetsk it currently occupies to establish an economic zone, thereby rendering it nearly demilitarized, Russia would be compelled to reciprocate “accordingly by five, 10, or 40 kilometers.”

Russian forces are presently situated approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Ukraine’s fortified cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, following the conquest of the town of Siversk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to be favorably influenced by the proposed agreement about Donetsk. He stated this month that Russia will seize control of all eastern Ukraine by force if Ukrainian forces do not withdraw.

Zelensky emphasized that any free economic zone must be governed and policed by Ukrainian authorities, explicitly rejecting the involvement of what he termed “the so-called Russian police.” The existing frontline would then delineate the economic zone’s perimeter, with foreign soldiers deployed along the contact line to prevent Russian infiltration.

Russia has thus far dismissed a European proposal to oversee any peace agreement via a Coalition of the Willing as a “blatant threat.

Zelensky stated that a referendum must be conducted about the entire peace proposal, asserting that only such a referendum could determine the proposition of a prospective free economic zone in Donbas.

He underscored the necessity of establishing an economic zone surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, presently under Russian occupation, and asserted that Russian forces must withdraw from four other Ukrainian regions: Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine opposes the current US proposal for the nuclear project, which would involve joint operations by Ukraine, the US, and Russia.

The primary elements of the plan reassert Ukraine’s sovereignty and propose a non-aggression treaty between Russia and Ukraine, accompanied by a monitoring mechanism.

In addition to robust security assurances reflecting NATO’s Article Five, which mandates member assistance to an ally under assault, Ukraine will be permitted a peacetime military capacity of 800,000 personnel.

Negotiations over a US proposal for pay in exchange for security assurances are ongoing. Zelensky asserts that it is not included in the contract at this time.

No provision in the original 28-point plan prohibits Ukraine from joining NATO, a demand Russia has constantly made.

The most recent framework indicates that Ukraine’s membership in the European Union will take effect on a specified date. It is presently a candidate; however, several other candidate nations, including Albania, are seen as primary contenders.

A Ukrainian investment fund of approximately $200 billion (£150 billion) is being planned, involving both the United States and Europe.

Another stipulation is that Ukraine must hold elections promptly after signing the agreement. Both Russia and the United States have advocated for a referendum, despite Ukraine being under martial law due to the comprehensive invasion.