Moscow is currently analyzing a revised 20-point peace proposal negotiated by U.S. and Ukrainian officials, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirming receipt of the documents on Thursday. The plan, revealed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a detailed press briefing, seeks to balance security concerns while avoiding immediate territorial concessions in Russian-occupied regions.
Demilitarized Zones in Focus
While the proposal removes earlier demands for Ukraine to renounce NATO membership or recognize Russian claims on annexed territories, it introduces mechanisms for potential troop redeployments. Zelenskyy acknowledged provisions for establishing demilitarized zones in parts of Donetsk under Ukrainian control, stating: "The line of contact would freeze current positions, with working groups determining future security arrangements."
Diplomatic Challenges Persist
Russian officials dismissed earlier media reports about plan modifications as "fake,\” maintaining their stance on territorial claims. The proposal comes as Russian forces continue advances in southern Ukraine, having reportedly captured another Zaporizhzhia settlement this week. Four years since the conflict began in 2022, over 40% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure remains damaged by sustained attacks.
Conflict Toll Mounts
With tens of thousands killed and millions displaced, the plan’s economic rehabilitation components propose special zones to jumpstart recovery. However, fundamental disagreements persist over Moscow’s demand for full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – regions Russia unilaterally annexed in 2022.
