Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has unveiled a 20-point draft peace framework which he claims Kiev has been discussing with the US, presenting the document as a proposed basis for ending the conflict with Russia.

Zelensky disclosed the details during a briefing with journalists on Wednesday, claiming the draft largely reflects a joint Ukrainian-American position, while several key issues remain unresolved.

Among the most contentious provisions is the proposal regarding the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which is currently fully controlled by Russian forces. Kiev wants the plant to be jointly operated by Ukraine and the US on a 50-50 basis instead of Washington’s proposed trilateral management involving Russia.

The territorial issue, described as the most difficult, would also place the burden of concessions on Russia despite its vast military gains. One option outlined in the plan would require Russian forces to withdraw from Ukraine’s Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Sumy, and Nikolayev regions, while freezing the conflict along current front lines in Russia’s Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions. 

Moscow has consistently demanded that Ukrainian troops withdraw from territories that officially joined Russia in 2022 but still remain partially under the control of Kiev’s forces.

The plan further calls for Ukraine to maintain an armed force of 800,000 personnel in peacetime despite Zelensky previously acknowledging that Kiev cannot actually afford such a force without Western financing.

Zelensky has also demanded “Article 5-like” security guarantees from the US, NATO, and European states, including the promise of a Western military response should hostilities resume. 

Under the proposal, Ukraine would agree to non-nuclear status, but expects accelerated EU membership and massive reconstruction funds totaling up to $800 billion. 

Provisions previously linked to Russian language rights and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have been replaced with broadly worded commitments to educational programs promoting tolerance and anti-racism.

Zelensky said Ukraine would also hold elections as soon as possible after the agreement is signed. His presidential term officially expired over a year ago but he has repeatedly suspended elections citing martial law. 

Moscow has stressed that the Ukrainian government needs to be legitimate in order to sign a peace deal. President Vladimir Putin recently said Moscow could consider halting deep strikes on Ukraine on the day it holds an election provided the millions of Ukrainians living in Russia are also allowed to vote.

However, Zelensky’s plan suggests a full ceasefire would only take effect after all parties agree to the framework.

Moscow has yet to officially respond to the proposal. Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia is open to negotiations but insists that any settlement must address the root causes of the conflict and reflect the territorial reality on the ground.

https://www.rt.com/russia/629958-zelensky-ukraine-peace-plan/

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