Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed a comprehensive Zelensky peace plan that marks significant compromises on territorial control. The proposal outlines conditions under which Ukraine would withdraw troops from the eastern Donbas region. Zelensky told reporters he would accept Ukraine troop withdrawal if Moscow also pulls back from the industrial heartland.
Figure 1: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
The 20-point framework represents the clearest indication yet of concessions Ukraine is willing to make. The Zelensky peace plan proposes transforming the Donbas into a demilitarised free economic zone monitored by international forces. Ukrainian and US negotiators hammered out this overarching plan in Florida during recent days of intensive discussions.
Ukraine Troop Withdrawal Conditional on Russian Pullback from Occupied Areas
The proposed Ukraine troop withdrawal hinges entirely on reciprocal Russian military movements from occupied territories. Zelensky stressed that any area Ukrainian troops evacuate must remain under Ukrainian administration and policing. International forces would be stationed along the contact line to prevent Russian infiltration through disguised personnel.
Russia has captured most of Luhansk and approximately 70 per cent of Donetsk. The two areas collectively comprise the Donbas region, which remains a major sticking point. Moscow has insisted that Ukraine relinquish the remaining territory it holds in the Donbas. Ukraine has firmly rejected this ultimatum, making the Ukraine troop withdrawal proposal a significant compromise position.
Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Focus on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Control
Russia-Ukraine peace talks have included detailed discussions about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant currently under Russian control. The US has proposed creating a consortium with Ukraine and Russia. Each party would hold an equal 33 per cent stake in the enterprise operating the facility.
Figure 2: President Volodymyr Zelensky stands alongside Ukrainian soldiers
Zelensky countered with an alternative proposal for a joint venture between the US and Ukraine. Americans would control 50 per cent and decide independently how to distribute their share. The Ukrainian president called the equal three-way split “not entirely realistic” after everything that has occurred. He questioned how joint commerce with the Russians could function following the invasion and occupation.
Security Guarantees Mirror NATO Article 5 in Updated Framework
The working draft ensures Ukraine receives strong security guarantees mirroring NATO’s Article 5 principle. This provision requires Ukraine’s partners to act decisively in the event of renewed Russian aggression. The Zelensky peace plan includes a separate document with the US outlining these guarantees concretely.
The security document will detail the conditions under which protection is provided during the renewed Russian assault. It establishes mechanisms to monitor any ceasefire implementation and will be signed concurrently. Zelensky acknowledged that Washington views this as an unprecedented step towards Ukraine. The Americans believe they are providing genuinely strong security guarantees through this framework.
Donbas Free Economic Zone Requires Complex Negotiations on Troop Movements
Creating a free economic zone in the Donbas presents the most difficult point. The Zelensky peace plan requires extensive discussions on how far troops must move back. Questions remain about where international forces would be stationed to ensure compliance from both sides.
Zelensky envisions international forces located along certain contact line points within the free economic zone. These forces would monitor agreement implementation and prevent disguised military personnel from entering. Since there is no faith in Russian promises after repeated violations, the current contact line is transforming. It becomes the boundary of a de facto free economic zone requiring guaranteed international oversight.
Working Draft Proposes Russian Withdrawal from Four Additional Regions
The working US-Ukraine draft proposes that Russian forces withdraw from Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions. These four areas represent significant Ukrainian territory currently facing Russian military pressure. The Russia-Ukraine peace talks framework requires Moscow to pull back from these regions entirely.
Figure 3: Russian President Vladimir Putin
The occupied city of Enerhodar, closest to the Zaporizhzhia power plant, would become a demilitarised free economic zone. This point required 15 hours of discussions with the US negotiators. No agreement was reached on this sensitive issue despite the extended negotiations between Ukrainian and American teams.
Ukraine Military Strength Capped at 800,000 in Peacetime Under Plan
The draft contains provisions keeping Ukraine’s army at 800,000 during peacetime following any settlement. Limiting the size of Ukraine’s military represents a key Russian demand in ongoing negotiations. The Zelensky peace plan accepts this restriction as part of the comprehensive framework for ending hostilities.
The plan also proposes that Ukraine become a member of the European Union by a specific date. Ukraine is currently a candidate country for EU membership. Several other candidate countries are considered first in line for accession, including Albania. The framework establishes a defined timeline for Ukraine’s integration into the European bloc.
Referendum Required to Approve Any Final Peace Agreement
Zelensky stated that any peace plan would need to be put to a referendum. Ukrainian citizens must approve the framework through a direct democratic vote before implementation. The referendum would cover the entire peace plan, including any potential free economic zones. Only a referendum could legitimise decisions about territorial arrangements and Ukraine troop withdrawal from contested areas.
Elections would be held as soon as possible after the deal is signed. Both Russia and the US have pushed for a vote. Ukraine remains under martial law because of the full-scale invasion that began nearly four years ago. The Russia-Ukraine peace talks framework requires final ratification by the Ukrainian parliament following the referendum.
Investment Fund of USD 200 Billion Proposed for Reconstruction
The latest framework proposes the creation of a Ukrainian investment fund of approximately USD 200 billion. Both the US and Europe would contribute to this massive reconstruction effort. Billions in investments are needed to make infrastructure, including the Zaporizhzhia plant run again. Restoration of the adjacent dam requires substantial financial resources and technical expertise.
Figure 4: The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine
The plan acknowledges Ukraine’s right to demand reparations from Russia for damages caused. It endorses the creation of dedicated investment instruments to fund the country’s reconstruction efforts. The Zelensky peace plan includes provisions for compensation mechanisms despite ongoing disagreements about specific implementation details.
Moscow Yet to Respond to Updated Framework Proposals
Russia has given no indication it will agree to any kind of withdrawal. Moscow has insisted that Ukraine relinquish the remaining territory it still holds in the Donbas. Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev met with US envoys in Florida over the weekend. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that Moscow would set out its position based on information received.
Peskov declined to share further details about Russia’s response to the proposals. American negotiators have engaged in a series of talks with Ukraine and Russia separately. US President Donald Trump presented a plan to end the war last month. The original proposal was widely seen as favouring Moscow, which invaded its neighbour nearly four years ago.
Also Read: Sydney Archbishop Delivers Christmas Message of Hope After Bondi Tragedy
FAQ
Q1. What is the Zelensky peace plan for ending the war?
Ans. The Zelensky peace plan is a 20-point framework negotiated with US envoys in Florida.
Q2. What conditions does Ukraine require for troop withdrawal?
Ans. The Ukraine troop withdrawal requires Moscow to pull back troops reciprocally from occupied areas. Any evacuated areas must remain under Ukrainian administration and policing.
Q3. What security guarantees does Ukraine receive under the plan?
Ans. The Zelensky peace plan provides security guarantees mirroring NATO’s Article 5 principle. Ukraine’s partners would provide a coordinated military response if Russia invades again.
Q4. How will the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant be managed?
Ans. The US proposes a joint consortium where Ukraine, Russia and America each hold 33 per cent stakes.
