Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined details of a draft 20-point peace plan discussed by Kyiv and Washington to end Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Mr Zelensky raised the prospect of Ukrainian soldiers being withdrawn from territory they currently hold in the east of the country to create a demilitarised or free economic zone.
"There are two options," Ukraine’s president said.
“Either the war continues, or something will have to be decided regarding all potential economic zones."
But it was far from clear that the Russsian leader would accept the blueprint as the basis to strike an agreement to end the conflict, having repeatedly rebuffed previous attempts to stop the slaughter.
Hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded during the war which Putin launched in February 2022, with similarly high casualties among Ukrainian troops.
Russian forces have very slowly seized more land in eastern Ukraine over the years, while suffering heavy losses, having failed in the initial plan to capture Kyiv.
Putin has been briefed by envoy Kirill Dmitriev on a trip to the US to discuss the latest peace proposals and Moscow will now formulate its position on the new plan for a possible Ukrainian peace deal, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.
After weeks of talks to modify an earlier 28-point draft from Donald Trump’s administration which was widely seen as supporting many of Russia’s main demands, Mr Zelensky said that most positions had been brought significantly closer.
But Ukraine and the US still had not reached consensus on two critical points which are control of territory and the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Mr Zelensky called for talks with the US president to resolve them.
The 20-point draft plan includes that:
1. Ukraine’s sovereignty will be reaffirmed.
2. This point will envisage a full and unquestionable non-aggression agreement between Russia and Ukraine, with a monitoring mechanism to oversee the line of contact through space-based unmanned monitoring, to ensure early notification of violations, and to resolve conflicts.
3. Ukraine will receive robust security guarantees.
4. Ukraine will maintain its armed forces at their present strength of 800,000 personnel. The earlier US draft had called for a cut.
5. The US, NATO, and European countries will provide Ukraine with security guarantees that mirror Article 5, the mutual-defence clause of the West’s military alliance.
6. Russia will formalise a policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine in all necessary laws and all required documents on ratification.
7. Ukraine will become an EU member at a specifically defined date.
8. Ukraine will receive a strong global development package.
9. To address economic recovery, the reconstruction of damaged areas and humanitarian issues, the mobilisation of $800 billion (£592 billion) will be sought to help Ukraine fully realise its potential.
10. Ukraine will accelerate the process of concluding a free-trade agreement with America.
11. Ukraine will confirm that it will remain a non-nuclear state.
12. Mr Zelensky said the US proposal for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, in territory currently held by Russia, was for the complex to be operated jointly by Ukraine, the US, and Russia, each holding equal stakes in a joint enterprise, with the Americans acting as the chief managers.
Kyiv’s proposal was for the plant to be operated by a 50-50 joint enterprise involving only the US and Ukraine, with Kyiv receiving half of the energy produced and America independently allocating the other half.
13. Ukraine and Russia commit to implementing educational programmes in schools and across society that promote understanding and tolerance toward different cultures and eliminate racism and prejudice.
14. Mr Zelensky said territory was the most complex point, and as yet unresolved. Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw troops from territory Ukraine still controls in the eastern Donetsk region. Kyiv wants fighting to be halted at current battle lines. Washington has proposed demilitarised zones and a free economic zone in the part of the Donetsk region that Kyiv controls.
15. After reaching an agreement on future territorial arrangements, both Russia and Ukraine undertake not to alter these agreements by force.
16. Russia will not obstruct Ukraine from using the Dnipro River and the Black Sea for commercial purposes.
17. A humanitarian committee will be established to resolve outstanding issues: a. All remaining prisoners of war will be exchanged on the principle of All for All. b. All civilian detainees and hostages will be returned, including children. c. Provisions will be made to address the suffering of victims from the conflict.
18. Ukraine must hold elections as soon as possible after the signing of the agreement.
19. This agreement will be legally binding. Its implementation will be monitored and guaranteed by a Peace Council, chaired by Trump. Ukraine, Europe, NATO, Russia, and the US will be part of this mechanism. Sanctions will apply in case of violations.
20. Once all parties agree to this agreement, a full ceasefire will take effect immediately.
