Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday reportedly rolled out a new 20-point peace proposal that he says is designed to end the war with Russia while stopping short of surrendering Ukrainian territory, offering instead a series of demilitarized zones and economic arrangements as potential compromises.
The plan trims down a broader 28-point framework previously proposed by the Trump administration and centers on the creation of what Zelensky described as a “fortress belt” of cities in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. The goal, he said, is to protect Ukraine from future aggression by the Kremlin without formally ceding land, a key demand Russian President Vladimir Putin has pushed in negotiations.
Rather than agreeing to territorial concessions, Zelensky proposed establishing a demilitarized zone along the current front lines. Under the plan, both Ukrainian and Russian forces would be required to pull back from designated areas, creating a buffer intended to reduce the risk of renewed fighting.
Zelensky explained that the zone could vary in depth, suggesting distances ranging from five to 40 kilometers. Using the cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk as examples, he said that if those cities became part of a free economic zone, Russian troops would be obligated to withdraw an equivalent distance.
“If we establish a free economic zone here, and it envisages a virtually demilitarized zone,” Zelensky told reporters, according to CNN, “then the Russians would have to pull back their troops accordingly.”
The Ukrainian president stressed that such an agreement could not be imposed unilaterally. He said the Ukrainian people would need to approve the terms through a national referendum, a process that would require at least 60 days and a sustained ceasefire to ensure legitimacy.
“People could then choose: Does this ending suit us, or does it not?” Zelensky said, adding that without a real ceasefire, holding a valid referendum would be impossible.
Zelensky and leaders in Europe and the United States have repeatedly urged Putin to agree to a ceasefire, but Russian attacks have continued, including recent drone strikes on Kyiv. Citing a lack of trust in Moscow, Zelensky said international forces would need to help guarantee security in any demilitarized zone.
“Since there is no faith in the Russians, and they have repeatedly broken their promises,” Zelensky said, according to NBC News, international forces should ensure that no Russian troops or disguised fighters enter the zone.
The draft proposal also calls for Russian forces to withdraw from several regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv. It envisions the creation of a peace council chaired by President Donald Trump and the establishment of a Ukraine Development Fund to address an estimated $800 billion in war-related damage.
Zelensky emphasized the need for U.S. investment in Ukraine’s natural gas sector, data centers, and technology, particularly after repeated Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure.
Another major element involves the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Under the proposal, Ukraine would receive 50 percent of the plant’s electricity output, while the United States would control the remaining 50 percent and determine how assets are allocated. Zelensky rejected an earlier idea that would have split control evenly among Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S., calling that arrangement unrealistic.
“How can you have joint commerce with the Russians after everything?” he asked.
Zelensky said more than 15 hours of discussions have already taken place over the plant. He also reiterated demands for security guarantees from the U.S., NATO, and European allies that would mirror Article 5 protections and trigger sanctions if Russia invades again. The agreement would be void if Ukraine attacked Russia without provocation.
On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin had been briefed on recent talks in Miami involving Jared Kushner and other envoys and that Moscow would determine its next steps soon.
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