He presents the 20 points of the document, which he describes as the “political framework” for ending the war
He expresses willingness to create a demilitarized zone in the east of the country
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Wednesday the details of the draft peace plan developed with the United States to end the war, which opens the door to the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops deployed in the Donbas region, an offer conditioned on Russia “doing the same” with its forces deployed in the area.
The president, who indicated during a press conference that the document is a “political framework” with 20 points, said that it has the support of the United States and has already been sent to Moscow, awaiting a response.
“I am prepared to discuss the draft, a basic document on ending the war, a political framework between us, the United States, Europe, and the Russians,” he said, according to information gathered by the Ukrainian agency Ukrinform.
In this regard, he affirmed that the text “reflects the joint position of Ukraine and the United States,” although “some issues still need to be resolved.” “We are now much closer to fully finalizing these documents,” he said.
Zelensky, who explained that the content could change during negotiations, stressed that “Ukraine’s sovereignty must be reaffirmed” and highlighted that “to support long-term peace, a mechanism will be established to monitor the contact line using unmanned systems to ensure early warning of possible truce violations.”
“Ukraine will receive firm security guarantees, and its army will have 800,000 permanent personnel in peacetime. (…) It will become a member of the European Union at some point and will receive privileged short-term access to the European market,” said the president, who then proceeded to read the content of the draft with which he seeks to end the Russian invasion of the territory. Thus, he assured that Ukraine will remain a nuclear-weapon-free state in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and specified that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant will be jointly managed by the three countries: Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
Details on the latter, he maintained, “are still subject to discussion,” given that Kyiv “has no intention of doing business directly with Russia after all,” as he clarified.
“Both countries are committed to implementing educational programs in schools to promote understanding and tolerance among different cultures and eliminate racism and prejudice. Ukraine will apply EU standards on religious tolerance and the protection of minority languages,” he assured.
SITUATION IN DONBAS
Regarding territorial issues, Zelenskyy presented two options. The first advocates “holding firm” in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson provinces, establishing the “de facto recognized contact line” based on the current deployment of troops on the ground. “This line,” he emphasized, “will be controlled by international forces.”
However, the second option opens the door for the first time to the withdrawal of its troops from Donbas, only if “Russia does the same.” “Option two contemplates the creation of a possible free trade zone in Donbas, which implies its demilitarization,” he stated.
“Ukraine opposes the withdrawal of its troops, but if this were to happen, it advocates for an equally complete withdrawal of Russian forces from the areas they control. This option requires a national referendum in Ukraine to ratify the agreement,” he said, while suggesting that this issue—one of the most divisive in the context of contacts between the parties—can ultimately be resolved “at the highest level.” Furthermore, the text emphasizes that, once the invasion, which is now approaching its fourth year, is over, “Russia will not prevent Ukraine from accessing the Dnieper River or the Black Sea for commercial purposes, for which an independent maritime agreement and an access agreement will be signed, regulating freedom of navigation and traffic. As part of this agreement, the Kinburn Spit will be demilitarized,” it specified.
Finally, it calls for the creation of a “humanitarian committee to resolve outstanding issues,” which includes the exchange of “all remaining prisoners of war, including those convicted in Russia since 2014, as well as the return of all detained and civilian hostages, including children and political prisoners.”
“Once all parties give their approval, a ceasefire will be implemented and will come into effect immediately. Ukraine will have to hold elections as soon as possible after the agreement is signed,” he concluded.
