Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed readiness to withdraw troops from the country’s industrial heartland in the east if Russia reciprocates, creating a demilitarized and economically free zone under international supervision. This proposal, crucial for ending the conflict, would need to undergo a referendum for approval.
A similar approach might be considered for the area surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control, according to Zelenskyy. Presenting a 20-point plan developed in recent negotiations between Ukraine and the U.S. in Florida, he highlighted ongoing discussions to finalize various details.
Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s initial peace plan last month, negotiations have ensued separately with Ukraine and Russia. The plan, initially favoring Moscow, has since been adjusted to align more closely with Kyiv’s stance, focusing on contentious issues like the fate of the Donbas region and the management of Europe’s largest nuclear facility.
Regarding the proposed initiatives, the Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned that Moscow’s stance would be shaped by information relayed by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who recently met with U.S. representatives. Specific details were not disclosed by Peskov.
Notably, Russia has shown no indication of agreeing to troop withdrawals from seized territories, demanding Ukraine cede the remaining Donbas areas—an ultimatum the latter has rejected. The bulk of Luhansk and a significant portion of Donetsk, constituting the Donbas, remain under Russian control.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that the U.S. has yet to accept Ukraine’s counter-proposals, emphasizing the progress in aligning positions between the parties. The plan underscores the need for mutual agreement, particularly on contentious issues like the Zaporizhzhia power plant’s management and the territories along the eastern front line.
The proposal advocates freezing the contact line across five Ukrainian regions post-agreement signing. Zelenskyy stressed that any establishment of a free economic zone must be validated through a referendum, granting Ukrainian citizens the ultimate decision-making authority. This process, requiring 60 days, necessitates a cessation of hostilities to proceed smoothly.
Moreover, discussions are ongoing on troop relocations as per Ukraine’s proposal and the deployment of international forces for oversight. The draft outlines Russian troop withdrawals from several Ukrainian regions and the positioning of international forces along the contact line to ensure compliance.
Furthermore, Ukraine proposes the conversion of Enerhodar, linked to the Zaporizhzhia plant, into a demilitarized economic zone. The U.S. suggests joint operation of the plant by Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia, with profit-sharing among stakeholders. Zelenskyy highlighted the substantial investments required for the plant’s restoration, including dam repairs.
An additional annex addresses security assurances akin to NATO’s Article 5 for Ukraine, ensuring protection against potential Russian aggression. Zelenskyy noted a separate accord with the U.S. to delineate security provisions and establish monitoring mechanisms using advanced technology for effective oversight.
Lastly, the proposal emphasizes post-agreement actions, including expediting a free trade pact with the U.S., securing European market access, and initiating economic development initiatives. It also mandates post-agreement elections in Ukraine and outlines reconstruction funds for war-ravaged territories.