Is Ukraine closer to peace? Not so much, but Volodimir Zelensky presented this Wednesday, Christmas Eve, his 20-point peace plan, based on the structure launched by Trump and which includes significant modifications and new elements at a time when the Russian offensive continues at its maximum. This is a “political framework”, insisted Zelensky, who is awaiting a response from Moscow.
The reality is that what the Ukrainian president presented is not about what he wants, but about what he can achieve. In fact, he acknowledged that the document was a mix of Ukrainian, European, American and even Russian proposals seeking, at the very least, a ceasefire that could come as soon as possible.
what does it say Zelensky’s plan for peace in Ukraine?
Donbass, demilitarized
Ukraine, almost for the first time, is willing to withdraw its troops from Donbass, the center of hostilities, on the condition that Russia does the same and creates a demilitarized zone. In reality, two scenarios are treated, even if kyiv leans towards the first, which would consist of freezing the current front line. The second option would involve the creation of one or more special economic zones in the part of the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control but claimed by Russia, a possibility that would only be considered after obtaining sufficient security guarantees.
“If this decision is made, a separate agreement will be signed between Ukraine, the United States and Russia, which will determine the status of the special economic zone and the measures that both parties to the conflict will take in an equivalent manner to withdraw their forces,” explained the Ukrainian president.
No “little green men” from Putin
There are important nuances here. Zelensky clarified that said the special economic zone would be administered by Ukraine even if its troops withdrew, and stressed that the presence of international forces would be necessary to prevent the entry of “neither the little green men, nor Russian soldiers disguised as civilians”, he said, referring to the mercenaries that Russia has deployed in Donbass since 2014. Furthermore, he stressed that a measure of this scale could only be validated by referendum. Finally, the president stressed that the plan does not include references to Ukraine’s membership in NATOa decision which, he recalled, depends exclusively on the member countries of the Alliance, which for the moment are not considering this possibility.
An army of 800,000 men
Ukraine considers security guarantees essential and decisive, and other elements of the plan are supported there, for example with the existence of a Ukrainian army of 800,000 men (there are now around 2.2 million, including reservists) and legally binding commitments by the United States and other allies to provide protection equivalent to that of NATO Article 5, which refers to mutual defense. These elements were agreed by Zelensky himself with several European partners a few weeks ago during a meeting in Berlin. This would be a nod to Moscow, which is calling for a reduction in Ukrainian troops.
Ukraine, without nuclear weapons
Another important point for Russia is also included in the plan, according to Zelensky: Ukraine will remain a nuclear-weapon-free state in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. SO. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant will be jointly managed by the three countries: Ukraine, Russia and the United States. This remains to be clarified but the Ukrainian president assured that he had “no intention of doing business directly with Russia” after the war.
The cultural question also comes into play, and this is how Zelensky explains it. “Both countries are committed to implementing educational programs in schools for promote understanding and tolerance between different cultures and eliminate racism and prejudice. “Ukraine will apply EU rules on religious tolerance and the protection of minority languages,” he assured.
Citizen voting… and possible elections
On the other hand, the Ukrainian president made it clear that the country could hold elections in parallel – they have not taken place since 2019 due to the war – while peace talks continue and a possible agreement to end the conflict is voted on. “Ukraine will submit this agreement for ratification by Parliament or hold a national referendum for approval in a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ format. Ukraine could decide to hold elections simultaneously with the referendum“Zelensky commented.
Of course, Ukraine needs the Rada make an exception to martial law, still in force, to be able to organize electionswhat Zelensky has been demanding from Donald Trump for a long time. He sets conditions to avoid Russian interference, but he does not close at the polls as long as this path has the necessary parliamentary support. “If there is no security, legitimacy will be called into question. We explain all this to our partners,” warned Volodymyr Zelensky.
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