Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed details of an updated peace plan that could potentially meet Russia’s long-standing demand for Ukrainian troop withdrawals from the east, while offering Kyiv extensive international security guarantees.
Speaking to journalists, Zelensky described the revised 20-point proposal as “the main framework for ending the war,” stressing that it was negotiated jointly by Ukrainian and US officials during talks in Florida over the weekend. He said the United States would now present the plan to Russia for its response.
Central to the proposal are security guarantees from the United States, NATO, and European partners. These would commit the allies to a coordinated military response should Russia invade Ukraine again, a condition Zelensky described as vital for any sustainable settlement.
The most contentious issue remains Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, particularly Donetsk, where Ukraine still controls around a quarter of the territory. Russia has repeatedly insisted that Kyiv withdraw its forces from the area as part of any peace agreement.
Zelensky said Ukraine remains opposed to a full withdrawal but acknowledged that US negotiators were exploring alternatives. These include the creation of a demilitarised zone or the establishment of a “free economic zone” in contested areas.
“There are two options,” Zelensky said. “Either the war continues, or something will have to be decided regarding all potential economic zones.” He added that any arrangement would require reciprocal actions from Russia.
Under one scenario, Ukraine could pull back heavy forces by five, 10, or even 40 kilometres in parts of Donetsk it still holds, effectively creating a demilitarised free economic zone. Zelensky stressed that Russian forces would have to withdraw by the same distances “accordingly.”
The proposal also addresses the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian occupation. Zelensky said a special economic zone would need to be established around the facility, alongside guarantees ensuring its safety and Ukrainian sovereignty.
Beyond Donbas, the Ukrainian leader insisted that Russian troops must withdraw from four additional regions: Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv. These demands, he said, were non-negotiable for Kyiv.
The revised document updates an earlier 28-point plan drafted weeks ago by US envoy Steve Witkoff in talks with Russian representatives. That initial proposal was widely criticised for appearing to favour Moscow’s demands.
According to Zelensky, sensitive territorial questions would ultimately have to be resolved “at the leaders’ level.” However, the updated plan would ensure Ukraine retains a military force of around 800,000 personnel, backed by strong international guarantees.
Much of the framework mirrors discussions held recently in Berlin and later in Miami, where US President Donald Trump’s team held separate meetings with Russian and Ukrainian officials. While consensus remains elusive, Zelensky said the revised plan marked a significant step toward defining possible terms for peace.