The conflict in Ukraine is approaching a potential resolution, with Washington and Kyiv making significant strides toward a unified strategy to conclude hostilities. However, the attitude of Moscow remains unclear, and several critical issues still need to be resolved.
In a recent update regarding the ongoing peace negotiations, facilitated by the United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has managed to secure several pivotal concessions compared to earlier drafts of the now-refined plan, following extensive discussions with US negotiators.
Even if Moscow does not accept the proposed terms, this development represents a notable achievement for Kyiv, as it moves away from a previous formulation that had been criticized for seeming like a list of demands favorable to the Kremlin. Zelenskyy mentioned that he anticipated US representatives would make contact with the Kremlin soon after.
The updated peace proposal includes Ukraine's acceptance of a demilitarized zone in its eastern territories, an issue that has been a significant hurdle in negotiations. Ukraine is insisting that Russia also withdraw its military forces from these contested areas.
Details of this latest plan have been shared with Russian President Vladimir Putin through his envoy, Kirill Dmitriev. A spokesperson for the Kremlin indicated that Moscow is currently considering its response and will refrain from making any immediate public comments.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, revealed that Dmitriev had provided Putin with insights from his recent discussions in Miami with representatives from former President Trump’s team. However, Peskov declined to elaborate on Russia's stance regarding the proposals or the specific formats of the documents, asserting that the Kremlin would not engage in discussions through media channels.
"The primary components of Russia’s position are well known to our American counterparts," Peskov conveyed to reporters.
In recent weeks, Putin has articulated that his conditions for peace necessitate Ukraine yielding control of approximately 5,000 square kilometers of the Donbas region that it still governs. Additionally, Kyiv must formally abandon its aspirations to join NATO’s military alliance.
Despite the complexities inherent in these negotiations, Ukraine seems willing to make several difficult concessions. This includes a withdrawal of certain Ukrainian forces from the frontline areas they currently hold, as well as reconsidering their long-standing goal of NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees from the US and Europe that reflect NATO’s Article 5 commitments. However, the precise nature of these security guarantees remains ambiguous at this stage.
The revised plan also stipulates the withdrawal of Russian military units from Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv, with international forces set to monitor compliance along the designated contact line.
During a two-hour briefing with journalists, Zelenskyy elaborated on the plan, indicating that it positions Ukraine more favorably, particularly if Moscow were to reject it. He warned that such a rejection could lead to the US increasing military support for Ukraine and imposing stricter sanctions on Russia.
Zelenskyy stated: "Moscow cannot approach President Trump and claim they are against a peaceful negotiation. If they attempt to hinder progress, it would compel President Trump to provide us with considerable military aid while enforcing all conceivable penalties against them."
Regarding the delineation of troop placements, Zelenskyy mentioned that according to the agreement's current state, the deployment lines in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions are recognized as the contact lines.
He further suggested that a working group would be established to assess the necessary redeployments of forces to facilitate an end to the conflict and to outline the parameters for possible future special economic zones.
This indicates that the plan may create opportunities for troop withdrawals and the establishment of demilitarized zones, although it appears to postpone options that Ukraine had previously been hesitant to explore.
Zelenskyy commented, "We find ourselves in a scenario where the Russians demand our withdrawal from the Donetsk area while the Americans are exploring viable solutions. They are seeking either a demilitarized zone or a free economic zone—formats that might satisfy both parties."
Any arrangement requiring Ukraine to pull back its military forces would need to be ratified through a referendum in Ukraine, according to Zelenskyy. "If we are discussing a free economic zone, then we must hold a referendum, as we look to establish areas from which Ukraine withdraws as demilitarized free-trade zones."
On the topic of NATO, Zelenskyy asserted, "It ultimately rests with NATO members to decide whether to welcome Ukraine into their ranks. Our choice has already been made; we have moved away from proposed constitutional changes that would have barred Ukraine from pursuing NATO membership."
However, Russia has consistently maintained its demand for complete control over Donetsk, making it highly uncertain whether Moscow would agree to a proposed demilitarized buffer zone or withdraw its troops. Further complicating matters are additional unresolved issues, such as the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which Kyiv insists should be jointly overseen by the US and Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s press conference followed repeated attempts by Donald Trump to mediate an end to the ongoing four-year conflict that began with Russia's invasion in 2022.
The impact of this war has been devastating, resulting in tens of thousands of fatalities, widespread destruction in eastern Ukraine, and millions displaced from their homes. Russian forces continue to advance on multiple fronts, relentlessly targeting Ukrainian cities and the nation's energy infrastructure with nightly missile and drone strikes. On Wednesday, the Russian defense ministry reported the capture of yet another Ukrainian settlement in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
In 2022, Moscow asserted the annexation of four Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia—alongside the Crimean peninsula, which it seized in 2014.
