Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled a revised peace proposal offering Russia potential concessions, including a possible withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from eastern regions – a key demand from Moscow.

Details of the 20-point plan, hammered out by US and Ukrainian negotiators in Florida over the weekend, were shared by President Zelensky. He indicated that Russia’s response hinges on discussions between the US and Russian officials.

Describing the plan as “the main framework for ending the war,” Zelensky stated it includes robust security guarantees from the US, NATO, and European nations, promising a coordinated military response should Russia launch further invasions.

Addressing the contentious issue of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, Zelensky suggested a “free economic zone” as a potential solution. He explained that while Ukraine opposes a full withdrawal, US negotiators are exploring the establishment of either a demilitarised zone or a free economic zone.

“There are two options,” Zelensky told journalists, “either the war continues, or something will have to be decided regarding all potential economic zones.”

This updated 20-point plan builds upon an earlier 28-point document agreed upon weeks ago by US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian representatives. That initial draft was perceived as largely favouring the Kremlin’s position.

Moscow has consistently demanded that Ukraine relinquish control of nearly a quarter of its territory in the eastern Donetsk region as a prerequisite for peace. Currently, the remainder of the region is under Russian occupation.

Zelensky acknowledged that resolving sensitive territorial disputes would require direct engagement “at the leaders’ level.” However, he emphasized that the new draft offers Ukraine significant security assurances and a substantial military force of 800,000 personnel.

The updated plan echoes discussions held in Berlin involving US negotiators Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside Ukrainian and European leaders. These talks subsequently moved to Miami last weekend, where President Trump’s team engaged in separate discussions with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and then with Ukrainian and European officials.

While the latest iteration provides greater clarity on the territorial aspects, it’s evident that a unified consensus within the Ukrainian side remains elusive.

Under the proposal, if Ukraine were to withdraw its heavy weaponry by 5, 10, or 40km from the 25% of Donetsk it still controls, creating a virtually demilitarised “free economic zone,” Russia would be expected to reciprocate with similar withdrawals – “accordingly by five, 10, or 40km,” Zelensky clarified.

He further stressed the need for an economic zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently held by Russian forces, and the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from four other Ukrainian regions: Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv.

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