Ukraine, US Reveal Revised 20-Point Peace Plan to End Russia's Invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in coordination with the United States, has revealed a revised 20-point peace plan aimed at ending Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine. The proposed plan, backed by both the US and Ukraine, suggests significant changes to the initial 28-point proposal, and even paves the way for potential territorial concessions by Ukraine. However, certain issues, including control of specific territories and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, remain unresolved.

The Peace Proposal

The proposed peace plan, which emerged from weeks of intense talks between Kiev and Washington, includes the creation of a demilitarized zone in the Donbass region, controlled by Kiev. The withdrawal of Ukrainian troops is set to occur concurrently with the withdrawal of the Russian army. The latest version of the plan would freeze the front line, but still allow for Ukrainian withdrawals and the creation of demilitarised zones, according to the South China Morning Post.

"“We now have draft documents that largely reflect the joint Ukrainian-American position, in some respects the American position,” Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv on Tuesday.

Key Points of Contention

Despite the progress, two key provisions remain unresolved, centering on control of territory and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. These issues, regarded as existential by Kyiv, are reflected in provisions 12 and 14 of the 20-point proposal, as per the Kyiv Independent.

Furthermore, Russia's response to the proposed peace plan remains uncertain, as outlined by The Guardian. The blueprint covers a broad range of issues, including territory, security guarantees, and postwar reconstruction. However, Russia has indicated little willingness to end the war, according to the New York Times.

The Potential Implications

Zelensky's revelation of the peace plan and the potential for Ukraine to cede certain territories could have significant implications. The latest US-Ukraine peace plan suggests that eastern areas seized by Russia could become free economic zones, as per Sky News.

However, the success of the proposed demilitarized zones (DMZs) in Donbas and Zaporizhzhia is uncertain, given the mixed track record of DMZs globally, Al Jazeera English reports.

The Road Ahead

While Zelensky and the US are close to finalizing the peace plan, Russia has signaled that it will seek significant changes before any agreement to end the war, as reported by Fox News.

According to Le Monde, the US is trying to understand 'what Ukraine can accept and what Russia can accept' as new 'consultations' open. The challenge lies in reaching an agreement that both Kiev and Russia can accept, a task the US acknowledges it cannot impose, as asserted by Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State.

Despite the unresolved issues and the uncertainty over Russia's response, Zelensky remains optimistic. There are 20 points of the plan, probably not everything is perfect there, but this plan is there, Zelenskyy said. There are security guarantees between us, the Europeans and the United States of America, there is a framework document.

The proposed peace plan now rests in Russia's hands for a response, marking a pivotal moment in the efforts to end the war.