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Zelenskyy Outlines Draft Peace Proposal; Moscow Reviewing Terms

2025-12-24

The BareStory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed details of a draft peace plan, which he said was agreed upon by U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators and is now under review by Moscow. Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy described a 20-point, U.S.-led proposal aimed at ending the four-year war.

According to Zelenskyy, the plan suggests recognizing the current front line as a line of contact and calls for a working group to determine troop redeployment. The proposal also includes provisions for creating demilitarized zones and special economic zones. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine secured concessions, including the removal of previous demands for Ukraine to legally renounce its NATO membership bid. However, he noted that any plan involving a troop pullback for a demilitarized zone would require a national referendum.

A Kremlin spokesman stated on Wednesday that Moscow was "formulating its position" on the draft and would not comment on specifics through the media. Russian officials have previously maintained demands for a full Ukrainian withdrawal from eastern regions. Meanwhile, the Russian defense ministry claimed on Wednesday to have captured another settlement in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Zelenskyy acknowledged there were points in the document he disliked, including a proposal for joint U.S.-Ukrainian-Russian management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, stating he opposes any Russian oversight. On the topic of NATO, Zelenskyy said that while he maintains Ukraine's decision to join the alliance has been made, the draft text notes that Washington has ruled out its admission.

Left Perspective

  • A U.S.-led peace plan offers a potential framework for ending the conflict.
  • Ukraine secured important concessions in the draft proposal.
  • Certain elements of the plan remain points of contention for Ukraine.

Right Perspective

  • Moscow is currently evaluating the proposed peace terms.
  • The proposal does not appear to meet Russia's previously stated demands.
  • Russian military operations are ongoing alongside diplomatic discussions.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• The draft plan notes Washington has ruled out Ukraine's NATO admission, a policy point that could define future U.S. military commitments in the region.

• A successful U.S.-led peace agreement could alter future levels of American financial and military support for Ukraine, as the proposal aims to end the war.

• A proposal for joint U.S. management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant could directly involve America in overseeing a nuclear facility in a post-conflict zone.

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