Ukraine unveils 20-point peace proposal under discussion with US
Ukrainian president calls for meeting with Donald Trump to address territorial conflict in the east
Ukraine has unveiled the latest 20-point peace proposal brokered by the US to bring an end to the war with Russia.
Ukrainian and US delegations reached a consensus on several critical issues in the latest round of talks in Miami.
However, Volodymyr Zelensky said sensitive issues around territorial control in the country’s eastern industrial heartland, along with the management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), remain unresolved.
“This is a document referred to as a framework, a foundational document on ending the war, a political document between us, America, Europe, and the Russians,” Mr Zelensky said.
“We are ready for a meeting with the United States at the leaders’ level to address sensitive issues. Matters such as territorial questions must be discussed at the leaders’ level.”
Asked about the plan, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow would set out its position based on information received by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who met US envoys in Florida over the weekend.
The recent proposal comes after weeks of modifying an earlier 28-point plan, which was heavily criticised by Ukraine and Nato leaders.
Below are the points of the draft proposal as unveiled by Mr Zelensky and shared by his office on Wednesday.
1. Ukraine’s sovereignty will be reaffirmed.
2. This point will envisage a full and unquestionable non-aggression agreement between Russia and Ukraine. It specifies that to sustain long-term peace, a monitoring mechanism will be established to oversee the line of contact through space-based unmanned monitoring, to ensure early notification of violations, and to resolve conflicts.
3. Ukraine will receive robust security guarantees.
4. Ukraine will maintain its armed forces at their present strength of 800,000 personnel. The earlier US draft had called for Ukraine to reduce the size of its forces.
5. The United States, Nato, and European countries will provide Ukraine with security guarantees that mirror Article 5, the mutual-defence clause of Nato’s founding treaty.
6. Russia will formalise a policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine in all necessary laws and all required documents on ratification, including ratification by an overwhelming majority vote in the State Duma.
7. Ukraine will become an EU member at a specifically defined date. Ukraine will also receive short-term preferential access to the European market.
8. Ukraine will receive a strong global development package, which will be defined in a separate agreement on investment and future prosperity.
9. Several funds will be established to address economic recovery, the reconstruction of damaged areas and regions, and humanitarian issues. The objective will be to mobilise $800bn to help Ukraine fully realise its potential.
10. Ukraine will accelerate the process of concluding a free-trade agreement with the United States. Zelensky said the US position was that if Washington were to grant free trade access to Ukraine, it aimed to offer similar terms to Russia.
11. Ukraine will confirm that it will remain a non-nuclear state, in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
12. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Zelensky said no agreement had yet been reached with the United States on the issue of Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant, which is located near the front line in territory now controlled by Russian forces. Zelensky said the US proposal was for the plant to be operated jointly by Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, each holding equal stakes in a joint enterprise, with the Americans acting as the chief managers.
Kyiv’s proposal was for the plant to be operated by a 50-50 joint enterprise involving only the United States and Ukraine, with Ukraine receiving half of the energy produced and the United States independently allocating the other half.
13. Ukraine and Russia commit to implementing educational programmes in schools and across society that promote understanding and tolerance toward different cultures and eliminate racism and prejudice. Ukraine will implement European Union rules on religious tolerance and the protection of minority languages.
14. Territory: Zelensky said that this was the most complex point, and as yet unresolved. Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw troops from territory Ukraine still controls in the eastern Donetsk region. Kyiv wants fighting to be halted at current battle lines. Washington has proposed demilitarised zones and a free economic zone in the part of the Donetsk region that Kyiv controls.
15. After reaching an agreement on future territorial arrangements, both Russia and Ukraine undertake not to alter these agreements by force.
16. Russia will not obstruct Ukraine from using the Dnipro River and the Black Sea for commercial purposes. A separate maritime agreement and an access agreement will be concluded, covering freedom of navigation and transport. The Kinburn Spit, along the Dnipro's outlet to the sea, will be demilitarized.
17. A humanitarian committee will be established to resolve outstanding issues:
a) All remaining prisoners of war will be exchanged on the principle of All for All.
b) All civilian detainees and hostages will be returned, including children.
c) Provisions will be made to address the suffering of victims from the conflict.
18. Ukraine must hold elections as soon as possible after the signing of the agreement.
19. This agreement will be legally binding. Its implementation will be monitored and guaranteed by a Peace Council, chaired by President Trump. Ukraine, Europe, NATO, Russia, and the United States will be part of this mechanism. Sanctions will apply in case of violations.
20. Once all parties agree to this agreement, a full ceasefire will take effect immediately.
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