Zelensky reveals details of peace plan with Russia and ceasefire

In a significant development in the Eastern European conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the outlines of the latest draft plan to end the war with Russia, which primarily aims to freeze the fighting along the current lines of contact. This move represents a new diplomatic attempt to break the stalemate, as the plan paves the way for the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from specific areas in exchange for the establishment of demilitarized zones, in an effort to de-escalate the military situation.

Zelensky explained that Moscow is currently reviewing the plan, which has been reduced from 28 points in the original proposal to 20, following intensive negotiations between the American and Ukrainian sides. The Ukrainian president indicated that Kyiv is awaiting Russia's response, expected on Wednesday, and emphasized that the Ukrainian side has succeeded in revising the plan to make it more balanced, although he doubts the Kremlin will easily relinquish its demands regarding the territories controlled by Russian forces.

Context of the conflict and the stalemate on the ground

To understand the significance of this initiative, it is essential to consider the broader context of the war that erupted in February 2022. After nearly three years of fierce fighting, both sides reached a state of military and economic attrition, with neither able to achieve a decisive victory. This plan comes at a time of increasing international pressure to find a political solution that would spare the region and the world further catastrophic consequences, especially given the stalled counter-offensives and the prolonged stalemate of the front lines.

Details of the plan and the NATO issue

Regarding the substantive details, the condition that would have legally obligated Kyiv to abandon its efforts to join NATO was removed—a political victory for Ukraine, despite repeated US assurances that Ukraine's accession to the Western alliance is not on the table. Instead, the plan focuses on the realities on the ground in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, where the line of troop deployment at the time of the agreement's signing will be adopted as the de facto line of contact, with working groups established to determine redeployment mechanisms and special economic zones.

Strategic and international dimensions

This plan has implications that extend beyond Ukraine's borders. The proposal to transform the city of Enerhodar, home to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, into a demilitarized zone addresses a global concern regarding nuclear security in Europe. The plan's success could lead to relative stability in global energy markets and ease geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West. However, the greatest challenge remains reconciling Russia's desire for complete control over Donetsk with the efforts of the United States and Ukraine to find a formula for a "free economic zone" or demilitarized zone that satisfies all parties and halts the bloodshed.