Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly included a demilitarized zone in the country’s eastern Donetsk region as part of the latest proposal in a possible peace agreement with Russia.
Zelensky told reporters on Tuesday that he would withdraw troops from areas in Donetsk, a region subject to territorial disputes that have derailed talks of a peace deal with Russia. The announcement showed his willingness to compromise following pressure from the United States to break through the deadlock.
The offer comes after Zelensky acknowledged that the United States is pushing for Ukraine to send a final bid.
“We sense that America wants to reach a final agreement and from our side there is full cooperation,” Zelensky posted on X, along with a video statement addressed to the Ukrainian citizenry. “Ukraine has never been, and will never be, an obstacle to peace.”
There are still factors to iron out in the negotiation process, but Zelensky’s willingness to sweeten the deal for Russia marks a notable move, seen as a step forward in the peace talks.
Zelensky’s proposal, however, came with a caveat. In exchange for the demilitarized zone, Russia must pull forces from the land of equal value in Donetsk. Moscow has not signaled whether it would be willing to cede some control over the mineral-rich region.
The proposition is part of a revised 20-point peace plan, which includes tentative land agreements, safeguards against Russian aggression in the future, and Ukraine’s reconstruction plans in the aftermath of the war.
Zelensky portrayed the plan as the best bid that could bring an end to the war, saying that it was up to Russia to decide what happens next.
According to Zelensky, the U.S. was presenting the new draft to Russia, and Kyiv is expecting to receive a reply by Wednesday evening.
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Zelensky said the plan’s points “largely reflect the joint Ukrainian-American position.”
However, some key issues remain unresolved, particularly concerning Ukrainian-controlled territory in Donetsk and a nuclear power plant under Russian occupation. As for the latter, Kyiv offered to share management of the plant with the U.S.