Zelensky Peace Plan Signals Shift Toward Demilitarised Donbas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled a revised peace framework that introduces the idea of demilitarised and free economic zones in eastern Ukraine, marking the clearest signal yet of Kyiv’s willingness to explore territorial compromises under strict conditions.

The Zelensky peace plan for Ukraine, finalised during US-Ukraine talks in Florida, is now awaiting Moscow’s response after American officials brief Russian negotiators.

Zelensky Peace Plan for Ukraine: What Happened

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the revised 20-point peace framework allows for limited Ukrainian troop withdrawals from parts of Donetsk, provided Russia mirrors the move and accepts internationally monitored demilitarised zones.

Instead of a full pull-out, negotiators proposed:

• Demilitarised buffer zones
• Or a free economic zone administered and policed by Ukraine

Any Ukrainian troop withdrawal would require matching Russian pullbacks of equal distance, ranging from five to 40 kilometres.

The plan also includes:

• Strong security guarantees from the US, NATO allies, and Europe
• A non-aggression pact with Russia
• An internationally monitored contact line to prevent infiltration

Why the Zelensky Peace Plan for Ukraine Matters

The plan marks a shift from rigid territorial red lines to conditional disengagement, aiming to halt the war without surrendering sovereignty. Kyiv insists any free economic or demilitarised zone must remain under Ukrainian administration.

The Zelensky peace plan for Ukraine matters because:

• It shifts talks from abstract ceasefires to mapped military disengagement
• It preserves Ukrainian sovereignty over any economic zone
• It tests whether Moscow will accept limits rather than full territorial control

Russia currently occupies most of Donetsk and has warned it would seize the rest by force if Kyiv refuses to withdraw.

Key Sticking Points

Zelensky made clear that:

• Ukrainian police – not Russian forces – would control any zone
• International troops would monitor the front line
• A national referendum must approve the final deal

He also rejected a US-backed proposal for joint control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, insisting Russian forces must leave the site entirely.

The plan further demands Russian withdrawal from Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.

What Happens Next in the Zelensky Peace Plan for Ukraine

US officials are expected to brief Moscow, after which Russia will issue its formal response. Any breakthrough would still require:

• Direct leader-level negotiations
• Agreement on territorial enforcement
• A nationwide Ukrainian referendum

Talks also continue on a $200 billion Ukraine investment fund and the timing of post-war elections, which remain contentious under martial law.

While the framework stops short of guaranteeing NATO membership, it supports EU accession with a defined timeline and allows Ukraine to maintain a peacetime military force of up to 800,000 troops.

Bottom Line

The Zelensky peace plan for Ukraine does not end the war — but it redraws the negotiating map. Whether Moscow accepts limits instead of land may decide what comes next.