Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed conditional willingness to a Demilitarized Free Economic Zone in the disputed Donbas Region as part of a US-mediated peace plan, insisting on mutual troop withdrawals, international monitoring, and national vote approval to end Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine. A similar demilitarized approach is being considered for the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station.
Zelenskyy Proposes New Steps Toward Peace in Ukraine
During a briefing on December 24, Zelenskyy pointed out progress on a revised 20-point plan developed during rigorous US-Ukraine negotiations, including meetings in Florida. Most elements are in agreement, such as security guarantees described by Zelenskyy as comparable to NATO’s Article 5, a peacetime Ukrainian army of around 800,000 troops, accelerated US-Ukraine free trade, preferred EU access, and a multibillion-dollar reconstruction package in technology, energy, and AI.
Additional requirements apply to post-agreement elections, prisoner exchanges since 2014, and the repatriation of deported civilians and children. Crimea remains not addressed in detail.
Challenges in the Donbas Region
The Donbas Region, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, where Russia controls the majority of Luhansk and around 70% of Donetsk, is the “most difficult point,” Zelenskyy said, with Moscow wanting complete control of remaining Ukrainian-held territory.
The Demilitarized Free Economic Zone evolved as a US-proposed compromise: mutual withdrawals to form a monitored perimeter.
“Since there is no faith in the Russians, and they have repeatedly broken their promises, today’s contact line is turning into a line of a de facto free economic zone, and international forces should be there to guarantee that no one will enter there under any guise; neither ‘little green men’ nor Russian military disguised as civilians,” he said.
A 60-day ceasefire would enable a referendum, letting Ukrainians decide: “Because people could then choose: does this ending suit us, or does it not?”
The plan includes freezing lines elsewhere and Russian pullbacks from pockets in Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv. “We did not reach a consensus with the American side on the territory of the Donetsk region and on the ZNPP,” Zelenskyy said, noting strong alignment on nearly all else.
Managing the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
A demilitarized zone is proposed for the Zaporizhzhia facility in occupied Enerhodar. The United States prefers tripartite management with equal stakes, which Zelenskyy dismissed as unrealistic: “How can you have joint commerce with the Russians after everything?”
Ukraine proposes a US-Ukraine joint venture (50% US-owned, with share allocation to Russia). Restoration, including the dam, will cost billions.
Russian Response and Outlook
The US has shared the agreement with Russian negotiators, including envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who described the discussions as “constructive.” Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, has been cautious while awaiting Putin’s decision.In conclusion, Zelenskyy’s conditional support for a Demilitarized Free Economic Zone represents an acceptable compromise for demilitarizing disputed areas, promoting economic rebirth under international supervision, and securing peace through a vote. While the US-Ukraine alliance is powerful on many fronts, unsolved concerns in the Donbas Region and Zaporizhzhia show ongoing difficulties, with Russian buy-in doubtful as the battlefield progresses.
