In a significant move towards resolving the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed establishing a demilitarized zone in eastern Ukraine. This initiative is part of an effort to bring an end to the war with Russia.

Mr. Zelensky announced this development following extensive negotiations with U.S. officials in Florida. He revealed that Kyiv and Washington have largely agreed on a comprehensive 20-point plan aimed at halting the hostilities. However, he acknowledged that significant differences persist, particularly regarding the future of Ukraine’s eastern territories and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

The proposed plan, which is reflective of Ukraine’s stance, has been presented to Russian negotiators, with an official response from Moscow anticipated by Wednesday.

President Zelensky highlighted that the framework seeks to harmonize security assurances with economic measures intended to stabilize the contested regions.

A focal point of the discussions is the Donbas region, Ukraine’s industrial core, which encompasses the Donetsk and Luhansk areas. The resolution of the situation in this region remains a critical aspect of the peace talks.

At the centre of the talks is the fate of the Donbas, Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. 

Vladimir Putin’s forces currently control most of Luhansk, and around 70 per cent of Donetsk, and the Kremlin continues to demand that Ukraine cede the remaining territory they have not captured, a position Kyiv has rejected.

Mr Zelensky described the issue as ‘the most difficult point’ in the negotiations, saying it would ultimately need to be addressed at the level of national leaders.

He said: ‘We are in a situation where the Russians want us to leave the Donetsk region, and the Americans are trying to find a way so that it is ‘not a way out’ – because we are against leaving – they want to find a demilitarised zone or a free economic zone in this, that is, a format that can provide for the views of both sides.’ 

Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, at a meeting in Kyiv on Monday. He has offered the creation of a demilitarized zone in eastern Ukraine to end the war

Paramedics and police psychologists help residents at the site of a Russian strike on Ukraine on December 19, which left several injured

Under proposals being discussed, parts of the eastern front line could be transformed into either demilitarized zones or free economic zones, with international forces deployed to ensure security.

Mr Zelensky said Ukraine would only accept such arrangements if they were approved by a nationwide referendum.

Ukraine is demanding that any demilitarised area be monitored by an international force to prevent Russian troops or covert units from re-entering the zone.

‘Since there is no faith in the Russians, and they have repeatedly broken their promises, today’s contact line is turning into a line of a de facto free economic zone, and international forces should be there to guarantee that no one will enter there under any guise – neither ‘little green men’ nor Russian military disguised as civilians,’ Mr Zelensky said.

The draft agreement proposes freezing the current contact line across five Ukrainian regions once a deal is signed. 

Ukraine says hostilities must halt for at least 60 days to allow time for any referendum to take place.

Another unresolved issue is the management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest, which has been under Russian occupation since the early months of the invasion. 

The United States has proposed a consortium involving Ukraine and Russia, with each side holding an equal stake.

Despite the peace talks, Russian leader, Vladimir Putin has intensified his attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks 

Mr Zelensky said Kyiv instead favours a joint venture with the United States, in which the Americans would determine how their share is distributed.

‘We did not reach a consensus with the American side on the territory of the Donetsk region and on the ZNPP,’ he said. 

‘But we have significantly brought most of the positions closer together. In principle, all other consensus in this agreement has been found between us and them.’

The Ukrainian president said two sections of the draft, Point 14, dealing with territorial arrangements along the eastern front, and Point 12, covering the nuclear plant, are likely to be the biggest obstacles in the next phase of talks.

The plan also calls for Russian forces to withdraw from Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions, with international forces stationed along the contact line to oversee compliance.

Ukraine has additionally proposed turning the occupied city of Enerhodar, which is linked to the Zaporizhzhia plant, into a demilitarized free economic zone.

Mr Zelensky said the final decision would rest with the Ukrainian people. ‘People can choose: this ending suits us or not,’ he said.

This week, Mr Zelensky said officials were making ‘solid’ progress during the talks. Despite this, Russia has continued its barrage of attacks on Kyiv and several other regions across the country, leaving several people either killed or injured. 

A Ukrainian serviceman walking near apartment buildings destroyed after Russian attacks on December 20 

Many homes have also been left without power amidst freezing temperatures after Russia targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. 

Meanwhile, on Monday, a major Russian military leader was killed after a bomb placed under his car detonated. 

Russian officials have said it was looking into whether the official was assassinated by Ukraine.

Last week, US intelligence warned that Putin is still determined to capture all of Ukraine, despite the peace talks. 

European and NATO leaders have also repeatedly cautioned that Putin could launch an attack on member states in the next five years.