Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Ukrainian media have revealed details of a proposed 20-point peace plan prepared by President Volodymyr Zelensky, outlining Kyiv’s vision for ending the war with Russia while firmly rejecting two of Moscow’s core demands: abandoning NATO aspirations and relinquishing territory claimed or occupied by Russia.
According to reports, the plan sets out a framework that preserves Ukraine’s strategic orientation toward the West, maintains its claims over all occupied regions, and seeks extensive security, economic, and political guarantees backed by international partners, particularly the United States.
At the heart of the proposal is a demand for the withdrawal of Russian forces from the Ukrainian regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv, while explicitly stating that Ukraine would not be obligated to withdraw its own forces from the Donbas. The plan also calls for the restoration of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant under joint Ukrainian–US control, reflecting Kyiv’s concerns over nuclear safety and strategic infrastructure.
Zelensky’s plan reiterates Ukraine’s refusal to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea or territories in the Donbas, positioning this stance as non-negotiable. It also avoids any clause that would bar Ukraine from joining NATO, another red line for Moscow. Instead, Kyiv seeks security guarantees comparable to those enshrined in Article 5 of the NATO charter, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.
European integration features prominently in the document, with Ukraine’s accession to the European Union described as a strategic objective. At the same time, the plan signals limited flexibility by stating that Kyiv would consider proposals such as the creation of a US-backed free economic zone in the Donbas, but only if such arrangements were approved through a nationwide Ukrainian referendum.
The plan includes several provisions related to Ukraine’s internal security and governance. It reaffirms the country’s commitment to remaining free of nuclear weapons, while allowing for the continuation of martial law and military mobilization without immediate cancellation. In peacetime, the size of the Ukrainian armed forces would be capped at 800,000 personnel, reflecting Kyiv’s assessment of long-term security needs.
Economically, the proposal seeks to deepen ties with Washington through the rapid conclusion of a free trade agreement with the United States. It also outlines an ambitious reconstruction agenda, calling for a comprehensive development package aimed at attracting up to $800 billion for rebuilding efforts through specialized investment funds and a separate investment agreement.
Beyond security and economics, the plan touches on social and humanitarian issues. It proposes the introduction of educational programs in schools designed to promote intercultural tolerance and combat racism and bias. It also calls for a comprehensive prisoner exchange on an “all for all” basis, alongside the return of civilians, children, and political detainees.
Other elements include a bilateral non-aggression pact between Russia and Ukraine, international monitoring along the line of contact, and a mutual commitment not to alter the agreement through the use of force. Ukraine’s right to use the Dnipro River and the Black Sea for commercial purposes is explicitly guaranteed, with provisions for the demilitarization of the Kinburn Spit to ensure safe navigation.
A key political aspect of the proposal is Zelensky’s insistence that any peace agreement be submitted to a nationwide Ukrainian referendum. Observers note that this approach shifts part of the responsibility for the decision onto the population, while also effectively requiring a ceasefire to allow such a vote to take place. Some analysts argue this could provide Kyiv with a temporary pause in fighting and valuable time to regroup on the battlefield.
The plan further stipulates that Ukrainian elections should be held as soon as possible after the signing of a peace agreement, and that the agreement itself must be legally binding. Oversight of its implementation would be entrusted to a “Peace Council” chaired by US President Donald Trump, an unusual provision that underscores Kyiv’s reliance on American political leadership as a guarantor of any settlement.
Taken together, the 20-point plan reflects Ukraine’s attempt to frame a peace process on its own terms, one that prioritizes sovereignty, Western integration, and long-term security, while leaving little room for concessions on territory or strategic alignment. Whether such a proposal could form the basis of negotiations with Moscow remains uncertain, given the sharp divergence between the two sides’ stated positions.
