Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly disclosed the details of a revised 20-point draft plan, negotiated with the United States, aimed at ending the Russian invasion. While Kyiv has secured significant concessions, the proposal faces major obstacles, primarily Russia's unwavering hardline territorial demands.
Key Changes in the Latest Draft
During a detailed two-hour briefing with journalists, President Zelensky outlined the updated document. He confirmed that Ukraine succeeded in removing immediate requirements for a full military withdrawal from the Donetsk region. Furthermore, the draft no longer forces Kyiv to legally renounce its ambition to join NATO, a major sticking point for Moscow.
"Our choice has been made. We moved away from the proposed changes to the Constitution of Ukraine that would have prohibited Ukraine from joining NATO," Zelensky stated. However, he acknowledged that ultimate membership depends on the alliance's choice, and prospects remain slim, especially with Washington's current stance.
Demilitarized Zones and a Potential Referendum
The plan, according to Zelensky, paves the way for establishing demilitarized zones. It recognizes the current line of troop deployment in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions as the de facto line of contact. A working group would then determine necessary troop redeployments to end the conflict.
"They are looking for a demilitarized zone or a free economic zone, meaning a format that could satisfy both sides," Zelensky explained, referring to US mediation efforts. Crucially, he indicated that any final agreement involving Ukrainian troop pullbacks would require a national referendum.
Major Sticking Points and Russian Response
The plan proposes joint US-Ukrainian-Russian management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently occupied by Russian forces—a point Zelensky said he opposes. He also stated that presidential elections would only be held after a peace deal is signed.
On the Russian side, the Kremlin's position appears unchanged. Moscow, which claimed annexation of four Ukrainian regions in 2022, has shown no willingness to compromise on its demands for a sweeping Ukrainian withdrawal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is "formulating its position" on the new draft but declined to comment on specifics.
The conflict, now in its fourth year, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced. With Russian troops advancing on the front and direct talks stalled since earlier meetings in Istanbul, the diplomatic gap between the two nations remains vast despite this new flurry of activity.
