20 points to peace

Zelensky reveals revised U.S.-backed plan to end Russia’s war against Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed a revised draft peace plan, developed with the United States, to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Zelensky presented the 20-point proposal to journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday, calling it “a foundational document on ending the war,” RBC Ukraine and Suspilne reported.

“This is a framework document that has gone through significant evolution — it’s that document that originally started with 28 points,” Zelensky explained, referring to an earlier proposal drafted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

The updated framework “lays out a certain logic for how the war could be brought to an end,” Zelensky said. Kyiv is now waiting for a response from Moscow to the points under discussion, he added, after which “we’ll understand our next steps and the possible time frame for certain decisions.”

The points of the plan, as outlined by Zelensky

1. The signatories affirm Ukraine’s sovereignty.

2. The document constitutes an unconditional non-aggression agreement between Russia and Ukraine. A monitoring mechanism will be set up along the line of contact.

3. Ukraine will receive strong security guarantees.

4. The size of Ukraine’s Armed Forces will remain at 800,000 troops in peacetime.

5. The United States, NATO, and Europe will provide Ukraine with “Article 5-like” security guarantees.

• If Russia invades Ukraine, there will be a military response and sanctions will be reinstated.
• If Ukraine invades Russia or opens fire on Russian territory without provocation, the security guarantees will be voided. If Russia opens fire on Ukraine, the guarantees will take effect.
• A clause stating that the United States will receive compensation for providing security guarantees has been removed.
• Ukraine’s existing bilateral security agreements “with 30 countries” will remain in place.

6. Russia will formally codify a non-aggression policy toward Europe and Ukraine in all necessary laws and documents, including ratification in the State Duma.

7. Ukraine will become a member of the European Union within a clearly defined timeframe and receive short-term preferential access to the European market. (E.U. membership, Zelensky noted, is part of Ukraine’s security guarantees, and Kyiv wants a specific date for accession.)

8. A robust global development package for Ukraine will be established in a separate investment agreement. It will include, among other things, a development fund, gas infrastructure projects, reconstruction efforts, and the extraction of minerals and natural resources.

9. Several funds will be created to support the recovery of Ukraine’s economy, the reconstruction of damaged areas and regions, and humanitarian needs. The target is to raise $800 billion.

10. After the agreement is signed, Ukraine will accelerate talks on a free trade agreement with the United States. (Washington wants free trade agreements with both Ukraine and Russia.)

11. Ukraine reaffirms that it will remain a non-nuclear state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

12. Control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is still under negotiation.

• Washington’s proposal is for the plant to be operated jointly by Ukraine, the United States, and Russia; control would be divided evenly, with the U.S. serving as the managing partner.
• Opposing Russian control over the plant, Kyiv has proposed for it to be operated as a joint venture between Ukraine and the United States, wherein 50 percent of the electricity generated would go to Ukraine and the U.S. would distribute the remaining 50 percent.

13. Ukraine and Russia will commit to introducing educational programs aimed at promoting understanding and tolerance of different cultures, and at eliminating racism and prejudice. Ukraine will adopt E.U. rules on religious tolerance and protections for minority languages.

14. Distribution of territories (Zelensky called this the “most difficult point”):

• For the agreement to take effect, Russia must withdraw its troops from occupied areas of the Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.
• In the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, the line of military positions on the date of signing will serve as the de facto line of contact.

Zelensky said that Moscow still wants Ukraine to withdraw from the Donetsk region, which Kyiv opposes. As such, the U.S. has proposed a “free economic zone” in Donbas as a “potential” compromise. However, Zelensky also said this could only be approved through a referendum.

15. Russia and Ukraine will pledge not to alter territorial agreements by force.

16. Russia will not obstruct Ukraine’s use of the Dnipro River and the Black Sea for commercial activity. A separate maritime agreement and an access agreement will be concluded to guarantee freedom of navigation and transport. Under these provisions, the Russian-occupied Kinburn Spit will be demilitarized.

17. A humanitarian committee will be established to ensure:

• an all-for-all prisoner exchange;
• the return of all detained civilians, including children and political prisoners;
• support for victims of the conflict.

18. Ukraine must hold elections as soon as possible after the agreement is signed, beginning with a presidential election.

19. The agreement will be legally binding. Implementation will be overseen by a Peace Council chaired by U.S. President Trump. Violations will lead to sanctions.

20. A full ceasefire will take immediate effect once all parties approve the agreement.

Further details

A ceasefire is expected to begin as soon as the agreement is signed. However, for the agreement to take effect, it must be ratified by Ukraine’s parliament and/or approved in a nationwide referendum. According to Zelensky, such a referendum could potentially take place within 60 days, if there were a real ceasefire during that period.

Zelensky also said that, in addition to the peace plan, three other documents are under discussion: a trilateral security agreement between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe; a bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the United States; and a roadmap for Ukraine’s reconstruction and economic development through 2040.

Russian officials have yet to comment on the 20-point draft Zelensky outlined.