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Ukraine presents revised peace framework to Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed details of a 20-point peace proposal on Tuesday, offering potential troop withdrawals from eastern regions in exchange for a demilitarized zone and security guarantees from Western allies. The plan, negotiated with U.S. envoys in Florida over the weekend, awaits Moscow's response following consultations with Washington.
Key elements of the proposal
Zelensky described the document as "the main framework for ending the war," emphasizing security assurances from the U.S., NATO, and European nations that would trigger a coordinated military response if Russia reinvaded Ukraine. The plan caps Ukraine's peacetime military at 800,000 troops and includes a non-aggression pact with monitoring mechanisms.
Territorial compromises
The proposal addresses the contentious Donbas region by suggesting either a demilitarized zone or a "free economic zone" under Ukrainian administration. Zelensky stressed that any territory vacated by Ukrainian forces would remain policed by Kyiv, not Russian-backed authorities. He outlined reciprocal withdrawal distances-5, 10, or 40 kilometers-depending on Russia's matching pullback.
Russian troops currently stand approximately 40 kilometers east of Ukraine's fortified cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk after capturing Siversk. The plan also demands Russian withdrawal from four other occupied regions: Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv.
Nuclear plant and economic provisions
The framework proposes establishing an economic zone around the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. While the U.S. suggested joint operation of the facility by Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S., Kyiv rejected this idea, Zelensky said. The plan includes a $200 billion Ukraine investment fund backed by the U.S. and Europe.
Political and security guarantees
The updated proposal omits earlier demands barring Ukraine from NATO membership, a longstanding Russian condition. Instead, it sets a defined timeline for Ukraine's European Union accession, though the country remains behind other candidates like Albania in the queue. The document also requires Ukraine to hold elections post-agreement, despite ongoing martial law.
Russian skepticism and U.S. pressure
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed similar compromises, vowing to seize all of eastern Ukraine by force if Ukrainian troops do not withdraw entirely. However, U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing for a resolution to the nearly four-year war, with Zelensky expressing confidence that Moscow cannot afford to reject the American-backed plan.
"They cannot tell President Trump, 'look, we're against a peaceful settlement.' If they try to obstruct everything, then President Trump would have to arm us heavily while imposing all possible sanctions against them."
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian President
Next steps and referendum
Zelensky confirmed that the peace plan would require approval via a national referendum, which would also decide on the creation of economic zones in Donbas. Russia has already rejected a European proposal to deploy international peacekeeping forces along the contact line, calling it a "brazen threat."
The 20-point plan builds on an earlier 28-point draft, which was criticized for favoring Kremlin demands. While the new version includes more territorial details, Ukrainian and American negotiators failed to reach full consensus, particularly on compensation for U.S. security guarantees.
