Kyiv: Ukraine has detailed an updated peace proposal that introduces the possibility of demilitarised zones in parts of the country’s east, marking a significant shift in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
Ukraine has said the proposal forms part of a 20-point framework developed with US officials, with Russia expected to respond after consultations with Washington.
Volodymyr Zelensky has described the plan as the central framework for ending the war, stating that it includes security guarantees from the United States, Nato and European partners. These guarantees would involve a coordinated military response should Russia launch another invasion of ukraine.
On the contested eastern Donbas region, ukraine has reiterated opposition to a full withdrawal of its forces. Instead, US negotiators have explored alternatives, including the creation of demilitarised zones or a potential free economic zone. Any territory vacated by Ukrainian troops would continue to be administered and policed by ukraine, according to Zelensky.
The updated proposal has evolved from an earlier 28-point draft agreed weeks ago between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian officials. That earlier document was widely viewed as favouring Moscow’s demands, particularly regarding territorial concessions.
Russia has continued to insist that ukraine withdraw from nearly a quarter of its own territory in the eastern Donetsk region as a condition for peace, while large areas remain under Russian occupation. Zelensky has said that sensitive territorial questions would ultimately require decisions at the leadership level, but stressed that the revised draft strengthens ukraine’s long-term security and maintains a proposed military force of 800,000 personnel.
The peace framework has reflected discussions held in Berlin and later in Miami, where US officials engaged separately with Russian and Ukrainian representatives. Despite added detail on territorial arrangements, ukraine has acknowledged that consensus with American negotiators has not yet been reached.
Zelensky has explained that if ukraine were to pull heavy weaponry back by distances ranging from five to 40 kilometres in areas of Donetsk it still controls, Russia would be required to mirror those withdrawals. Russian forces currently remain around 40 kilometres east of key Ukrainian cities including Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Vladimir Putin has signalled opposition to compromise, stating that Russian forces would seek full control of eastern ukraine if Ukrainian troops did not withdraw. However, Zelensky has argued that Moscow cannot afford to reject a US-backed peace framework, warning that failure to engage would result in increased Western military support and expanded sanctions.
Any agreement, Zelensky has said, would require approval through a nationwide referendum. Only such a vote could determine whether a free economic zone or demilitarised structure in Donbas would move forward under Ukrainian sovereignty.
MOST READ | UK set for hottest year on record as temperatures break limits
