Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has outlined a bold, 20-point plan forged with U.S. negotiators, offering a potential pathway to end the devastating war with Russia. At its core lies a willingness to consider withdrawing forces from the contested Donbas region – but only if Russia reciprocates and the area is transformed into a demilitarized zone, patrolled by international observers.
This proposal represents a significant compromise, addressing a major obstacle in previous peace talks. Zelenskyy envisions a “free economic zone” within Donbas, stripped of military presence, but the specifics of governance and future development remain under intense discussion. A similar framework is also being explored for the precarious situation surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control.
However, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Russia has shown no indication of relinquishing occupied territory, instead demanding Ukraine cede control of the remaining Donbas region – a demand Kyiv vehemently rejects. Moscow’s response, relayed through Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, remains cautiously noncommittal, awaiting further details from its own envoy.
The U.S. initially presented a plan widely perceived as leaning towards Moscow’s interests, but subsequent negotiations, driven by Ukraine and its European allies, have steered the proposal closer to Kyiv’s position. Zelenskyy acknowledges that securing agreement on the Donbas region is “the most difficult point” in the entire process.
Regarding the Zaporizhzhia plant, the U.S. proposed a tripartite consortium – Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. – each holding a 33% stake. Zelenskyy countered with a joint venture between Ukraine and the U.S., granting America control over its 50% share, with the freedom to distribute it, potentially including a portion to Russia. He questioned the practicality of “joint commerce with the Russians” given the circumstances.
Despite the U.S. not yet fully embracing Ukraine’s counter-proposals, Zelenskyy insists significant progress has been made. He believes consensus has been reached on nearly all other aspects of the agreement, paving the way for a potential breakthrough. Establishing a demilitarized economic zone in Donbas, however, demands detailed discussions on troop withdrawals and the deployment of international forces – a conversation Zelenskyy believes requires direct leadership involvement.
The draft agreement also calls for Russian forces to withdraw from several other regions – Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv – and proposes international monitoring along the contact lines within the demilitarized zone. Ukraine also seeks a similar demilitarized status for Enerhodar, the city closest to the Zaporizhzhia plant, a point that sparked 15 hours of intense debate with U.S. negotiators.
Crucially, the proposed security guarantees for Ukraine are designed to be “strong,” mirroring NATO’s Article 5 – an attack on one is an attack on all. A separate document will detail the conditions for security assistance in the event of renewed Russian aggression, alongside a mechanism to oversee any ceasefire. The U.S. views these guarantees as an “unprecedented step” towards supporting Ukraine.
Other key elements of the draft include maintaining a Ukrainian army of 800,000 personnel during peacetime and securing a defined timeline for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union. While Russia has demanded a smaller Ukrainian military, the draft also proposes accelerating a free-trade agreement between Ukraine and the U.S., with a similar offer extended to Russia.
Ukraine is also seeking substantial economic support, aiming to attract $800 billion in investment through equity, grants, loans, and private sector contributions. The agreement also stipulates that Ukraine will hold elections, postponed due to the invasion, with Zelenskyy’s original term ending in May 2024. A critical demand is the immediate release of all prisoners held since 2014, including civilian detainees and children.
Meanwhile, escalating tensions were underscored by an explosion in Moscow that claimed three lives, including two police officers, just days after a similar attack targeted a high-ranking Russian general. Ukrainian military intelligence officials, speaking anonymously, claimed responsibility for the Moscow attack, alleging the officers were involved in the war against Ukraine.
