Kyiv has secured important concessions in a new US-led draft plan aimed at ending the Russian invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed, though major issues over territory and Moscow’s willingness to compromise remain unresolved.
The 20-point proposal, negotiated between the US and Ukraine, is under review by Moscow. However, the Kremlin is unlikely to abandon its hardline demand for a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the eastern regions.
Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine successfully removed clauses requiring an immediate withdrawal from Donetsk or recognition of land seized by Russian forces, as well as any legal renouncement of its NATO aspirations.
While the plan does not explicitly mandate troop withdrawals, it allows Kyiv the option to redeploy forces, including from areas it controls in Donetsk, with demilitarized zones potentially established.
Speaking to journalists during a two-hour briefing, Zelensky said: “In the Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, the line of troop deployment as of the date of this agreement is de facto recognised as the line of contact. A working group will determine redeployment and explore potential special economic zones.”
The proposal appears to open the door to compromises Ukraine previously resisted, including partial troop withdrawals and the creation of demilitarized zones, while balancing pressures from both Moscow and Washington.
The plan also addresses the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently occupied by Russian troops, with joint US-Ukrainian-Russian management suggested—though Zelensky stressed he does not want Russian oversight of the facility.
On NATO, Zelensky confirmed Ukraine’s stance: “Our choice has been made. We moved away from proposed constitutional changes that would prohibit Ukraine from joining NATO,” though prospects of membership remain slim, with Washington ruling it out.
Zelensky added that any withdrawal of Ukrainian forces would require a national referendum and that presidential elections would only be held after an agreement is reached.
Despite ongoing diplomacy, including earlier talks in Istanbul, positions remain far apart, with Moscow yet to comment on the latest version of the plan.
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