Zelensky agrees to troop withdrawal in new peace draft, awaits Russia’s response
“We say that if all regions are included and we stay where we are, then we will reach an agreement. That’s why it says ‘potential regions’ here.
“But if we do not agree to ‘stay where we are’, there are two options: Either the war will continue, or a decision will be made on all potential economic zones.”
US negotiators are expected to deliver the draft document to Moscow for consideration on Christmas Eve.
If approved by Vladimir Putin, the peace agreement would need to be signed by Trump, Zelensky and other European leaders. In theory, this could lead to a ceasefire on existing front lines before any withdrawal takes place.
The document was revised after weeks of intense talks between Washington, Kiev and Moscow, after the initial 28-point plan was rejected as capitulation by Ukraine and Europe.
Regarding territorial concessions, the document states that, if signed, the front line in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia, four regions illegally annexed by Russia, will be frozen.
Moscow wants full control of Donetsk
The report adds that both sides “have yet to determine the troop movements needed to end the war and create potential ‘free economic zones’ as Russia withdraws its troops from these regions.”
Moscow is expected to withdraw its troops from Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Zelensky’s intervention confirms a story published earlier this month Telegram He said that the Ukrainian President is considering creating a “demilitarized zone” on condition that Russia agrees to a “mutual” withdrawal.
He has repeatedly argued that as president he does not have the authority to cede territory to Russia, and that he would not go against the will of Ukrainians in doing so.
Loading
Moscow has demanded that Ukraine completely evacuate the Donetsk region, including a “fortress belt” of cities that would serve as the main bulwark against any future Russian invasion.
Ukrainian forces withdrew from the embattled town of Siversk this week; this brought Moscow closer to capturing the fortress belt cities of Kostyantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.
Last week, Putin said Russia would not back down from its mission to “liberate its historical lands” unless maximalist war goals were achieved through diplomatic negotiations.
Announcing the details of the latest peace proposal, Zelensky also warned that the differences of opinion on the future of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant have not yet been resolved.
He said the United States was working on a proposal that would see Washington, Kiev and Moscow take third ownership of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
Ukraine submitted a counter-offer that would send half of the plant’s energy to Kiev-controlled regions, with the United States deciding where to sell the rest.
Zelensky said: “We believe that for all this to happen and function safely, the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, the city of Enerkhodar… must be demilitarized… there are Russian troops and war there, and there is no necessary level of security.”
It is unclear whether Russia will ultimately accept the peace agreement.
A Russian official described the new proposals as “a pretty typical Ukrainian plan.” They told Bloomberg the Kremlin would try to make changes.
The 20-point plan takes into account some of Moscow’s demands, such as removing any reference to NATO membership or Ukraine and a program of education and language reforms.
For Ukraine, the document is accompanied by three other documents setting out US security guarantees, European security provisions, and a US-Ukraine economic plan described as a “road map for Ukraine’s prosperity.”
The ceasefire will begin as soon as the documents are signed by the USA, Ukraine and Russia.
For the agreement to come into full force, it must be approved by the Ukrainian parliament within 60 days of signing or supported by a nationwide referendum.
