Ukraine, together with the US and its European partners, has drawn up a new framework for a possible end to the war with Russia. It envisages a ceasefire, the mutual withdrawal of Ukrainian and Russian troops from part of the front line, and the creation of a buffer «free economic zone» under third-party administration. This is reported by The Times, whilst the key elements of the proposal were previously outlined by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with journalists.
Briefly about the main points
- The plan provides for a ceasefire.
- Ukrainian and Russian troops may withdraw from the front line.
- The parties are proposing to establish a buffer zone.
What does the new plan to end the war entail?
According to Zelensky, the negotiations with the American side were successfully narrowed down to three key points. A representative of the US took part in the consultations Steve Witkoff і Jared Kushner. The proposals that have been drawn up are to form the basis for further negotiations with Russia.
The first and most important point is a ceasefire.
The second involves the creation of a so-called free economic zone. Under the US proposal, Ukrainian and Russian troops must withdraw to an equal distance from a designated section of the front line.
In such a case, a buffer zone will be established between the positions of the parties; this zone will have a special economic status and will be subject to a form of administration by a third party.
Zelenskyy noted that the mechanism for such management has not yet been finalised.
The third major section concerns the roles of the European Union and NATO, security guarantees for Ukraine, and the commitments that Kyiv is prepared to undertake within the framework of a potential agreement.
Ukraine, the US and Europe have agreed on the key points
Zelenskyy emphasised that these proposals are not exclusively a Ukrainian plan.
According to him, three main points were drawn up together with the United States and our European partners, whilst the American side was, at the same time, maintaining contacts with Moscow.
The President stated that the current set of proposals has already received a generally positive response from those taking part in the consultations.
At the same time, Washington has a few more ideas which have not yet been formally presented to Kyiv.
«There are a few other ideas from the American side. They want to find the right moment to share them. We are waiting for them,» explained Zelenskyy.
The Times describes the current proposals as a suggestion regarding an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war, the key elements of which are the cessation of hostilities, the mutual withdrawal of forces and the establishment of a buffer zone.
Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas
Moscow’s stance remains the main problem.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia continues to demand that Ukrainian troops withdrew from the entire Donbas region, which they currently control. Moscow is threatening to continue its offensive operations if this does not happen.
The President emphasised that Ukraine has no guarantees that, following such a withdrawal, Russian troops will halt at the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and will not continue their advance.
That is precisely why the American proposal for a mutual withdrawal of troops and the creation of a special buffer zone is seen as one of the possible compromise mechanisms.
Questions remain as to the precise boundaries of such a zone, its status, administration and the system for monitoring compliance with the ceasefire.
Lavrov is due to meet a representative of the Vatican on Tuesday
New diplomatic proposals emerged at the same time as an important visit by a representative of the Holy See to Moscow.
On 24 August, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop, arrived in Russia Paul Richard Gallagher. Its mission is officially dedicated to dialogue and peace.
On Tuesday, 25 August, Gallagher is due to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. A meeting with Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, is scheduled for the following day.
The Times suggests that a new framework for ending the war in Ukraine may also be discussed during these talks. The Vatican’s official programme does not specify a particular Ukrainian plan amongst the topics for discussion, but the aim of the visit is stated as the continuation of diplomatic dialogue on peace.
Zelenskyy sees a diplomatic «window of opportunity»
The President also stated that the most active period of diplomacy could continue from the current stage until the end of summer 2027, after which political attention in the US will increasingly shift towards the presidential campaign.
Meanwhile, hostilities are continuing, and Russia has so far shown no willingness to abandon its maximalist territorial claims.
So, the proposals put forward are currently negotiating framework, rather than a final peace agreement. Its key elements — a ceasefire, the mutual withdrawal of forces, a special buffer zone and future security guarantees — still need to be agreed upon by all parties.
