FLASH NEWS
CNN: Zelensky offers territorial concessions for peace in Ukraine! The ball is in Putin's court
2025-12-24 23:53:40 / BOTA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has shown a new willingness to make concessions on several key points in negotiations that have so far threatened to delay the fragile peace process with Moscow, "passing the ball" to Russia. This is what CNN assesses in its analysis.
During an unusually open and wide-ranging meeting with reporters on Tuesday, Zelensky provided new details on a 20-point plan, which he described as "a fundamental document for ending the war, a political document between us, America, Europe and the Russians."
The Ukrainian president also spoke about security guarantees between Ukraine, the United States and European countries, which are expected to be a key element of any peace agreement with Russia. Zelensky said he expects a response from Moscow on Wednesday, after the American side has cooperated with the Kremlin.
The 20-point draft agreement represents a shortened version of the initial 28-point plan, which the US had previously discussed with the Russian side.
Donetsk and the demilitarized zones
In his remarks, Zelensky outlined what the Ukrainian side considers an acceptable compromise for withdrawing troops from parts of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine that are not currently under Russian control. These areas include the so-called “fortress zone,” with fortified cities such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, which currently block any potential Russian advance deeper into Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Ukraine must hand over virtually all of Donetsk for a peace plan to work. For his part, Zelensky stressed that Russia must withdraw its forces in line with the territory from which Ukrainian troops would withdraw, creating a demilitarized zone around some of the current front lines.
"If we create a free economic zone here, which would essentially be a demilitarized zone - that is, heavy forces are removed from this zone - and the distance, for example, is 40 kilometers (it can be 5, 10 or 40 km), then if Kramatorsk and Sloviansk are our free economic zone, the Russians should withdraw their troops 5, 10 or 40 kilometers, respectively," Zelensky declared.
Among the main points of the plan presented by Zelensky are:
Confirmation of Ukrainian sovereignty and a non-aggression pact between Russia and Ukraine;
Security guarantees for Ukraine from the US, NATO and European states, which Zelensky said would “mirror NATO’s Article 5” for collective defense. These guarantees would include military response and the reinstatement of sanctions against Moscow in the event of a new Russian invasion, but would be lifted if Ukraine attacks Russia without provocation;
A development package for post-war economic recovery, including the creation of a Ukrainian Development Fund for investments in technology, data centers and artificial intelligence, as well as US investment in the natural gas sector. Zelensky estimated economic losses from the war at about $800 billion;
A compromise on the operation of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control, which according to the proposal would be managed by a US-Ukrainian joint venture, with 50% of the energy going to Ukraine and the rest distributed by the US;
Withdrawal of Russian troops from Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions;
A legally binding agreement, the implementation of which would be monitored by a Peace Council under the leadership of US President Donald Trump;
A complete ceasefire that would come into effect once all parties agree to the deal.
Control of territory remains the most complicated point of any agreement. Zelensky also spoke about the possibility of a referendum in Ukraine to formalize the end of the war.
“People will then be able to choose: does this outcome suit us or not?” he said. According to him, a referendum requires at least 60 days and a real ceasefire during this period, otherwise the process would not be legitimate. He added that in areas under Russian control a fair vote cannot be guaranteed, while in territories controlled by Kiev, any electoral process must take place in safe conditions.
Ukraine is facing pressure to hold elections as soon as possible after a peace deal. Putin has long said the government in Kiev is illegitimate. Zelensky's presidential term ends in 2024, but elections cannot be held under martial law imposed after the Russian invasion, measures that have also been approved by the Ukrainian parliament.
The US role and Moscow's response
The Trump administration's peace effort, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has been moving slowly in recent weeks. Over the weekend, Ukrainian and Russian delegations met separately with U.S. representatives, talks that Witkoff called "constructive and productive."
On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev had briefed President Putin on the results of his visit to Miami and that Moscow would determine next steps based on this information, continuing contacts through existing channels. Peskov did not provide further details.
Happening now...
Sali Brava
Nga Bato Kosova
ideas
Edi Rama's blessing and the vampire at our expense!
Nga Sidi Hasanaj
Spiropali dhe loja e pritjes për lidershipin
Nga Alban Daci
Berisha's persistence as a strategy of failure
Nga Ardi Stefa
top
Alfa recipes
services
- POLICE129
- STREET POLICE126
- AMBULANCE112
- FIREFIGHTER128