Ukraine’s President Zelensky discusses new US-backed peace plan, diplomatic progress, and ongoing challenges to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

peace plan, Ukraine, Russia, Zelensky, US diplomacy, Donbas conflict, security guarantees, Donetsk, Luhansk

Ukraine Peace Plan: Zelensky Hails Fresh US-Backed Proposals to End Russia-Ukraine War

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed cautious optimism after a key conversation with US envoys, focused on advancing peace efforts and ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Zelensky’s Key Conversation with US Envoys

On Thursday, President Zelensky held a nearly hour-long call with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He described the discussion as providing “new ideas in terms of formats, meetings, and… timing on how to bring a real peace closer”.

This productive engagement came just a day after the president had unveiled details of an updated 20-point peace plan, jointly agreed by American and Ukrainian negotiators in Florida.

Zelensky noted he had asked the US envoys to pass on Christmas greetings to former President Donald Trump and his family.

Developments in the Russia-Ukraine Peace Process

The Kremlin responded by announcing that Moscow was assessing proposals brought back by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev after discussions in the US. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that “we are examining this material, and depending on the decisions made by the head of state, we will continue our communication with the Americans”.

US envoys and Russian officials have been in direct talks with both Kyiv and Moscow, aiming to broker a framework to end the war triggered by Russia’s invasion in 2022. In recent days, diplomatic progress appears to be mounting, with Zelensky praising the new ideas from the US side.

Zelensky described it as an “active day for diplomacy” and acknowledged ongoing “sensitive issues”, but stated, “together with the American team, we understand how to put all of this in place.” Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, will continue talks with the US team.

The Updated Ukraine Peace Plan: Key Elements

• The 20-point peace plan is an update from an earlier draft initially regarded as shifting heavily towards Russian pre-invasion demands.
• It now discusses a possible withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from parts of the east and the establishment of a demilitarised zone.
• Security guarantees for Ukraine from the US, NATO, and European partners are included, ensuring a coordinated response in case of future Russian aggression.
• Regarding Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, a “free economic zone” is being considered. Zelensky stressed that any withdrawn areas would continue to be policed by Ukrainian forces.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of Donetsk and 99% of neighboring Luhansk, collectively known as Donbas. For more context on the region, see our comprehensive guide to Donbas.

Persistent pressure from Trump and US envoys has focused on Kyiv potentially ceding Donbas to Russia, but Zelensky has stood firm, refusing any territorial concessions while demanding robust international security guarantees.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned that Ukrainian troops must leave Donbas or Russia will seize it.

War on the Ground: Ongoing Battles as Diplomacy Progresses

While talks continue, military clashes rage. Ukraine’s military reported striking the critical Russian Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in the Rostov region near the Ukrainian border. This facility is essential for fueling Russian operations in occupied eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Russian defense ministry claimed that its soldiers had seized the settlement of Sviato-Pokrovske in Donetsk, further tightening their grip on the region.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian troops withdrew from Siversk, a town that stands near the last major Ukrainian-held strongholds in Donetsk – Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Read more updates from the latest frontline reports.

International Perspectives and Authoritative Analyses

The international community continues to monitor the Ukraine peace plan developments closely. For deeper background on attempts at peace settlements in international conflicts, see the United Nations’ official resources on peace and security.

Conclusion: Tough Road Ahead, but Progress Visible

The path to peace in Ukraine remains fraught with complexity, negotiation, and ongoing violence on the ground. However, the new and updated US-backed Ukraine peace plan offers signals of incremental progress, crucial for both Ukraine and the wider region’s security and stability.

Source: BBC News