• Ukrainian President Zelensky reveals a 20-point peace plan to negotiate with Russia.
• The plan proposes potential troop withdrawals and demilitarized zones in contested regions.
• Zelensky emphasizes security guarantees akin to NATO's Article 5 for Ukraine.
• The proposal includes provisions for EU membership and substantial post-war recovery funding.
• Negotiations remain ongoing as both sides prepare for a response on key territorial issues.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled a comprehensive 20-point peace plan aimed at negotiating the end of the conflict with Russia, highlighting provisions that include potential troop withdrawals and establishing demilitarized zones in the contested eastern Donetsk region. This plan was developed during talks facilitated by American negotiators and is viewed as a significant step towards reconciliation, although Zelensky acknowledged that several issues remain unresolved, particularly concerning territorial adjustments, according to SCMP, BBC, and AA.

Zelensky stated that the plan offers strong security guarantees resembling NATO's Article 5, which would ensure a coordinated military response if Russia were to reheardon later aggression. The plan also calls for Ukraine to maintain an army of up to 800,000 troops, as well as outlines a strategy for the reconstruction of war-torn areas, anticipating approximately $800 billion in recovery funds, according to AA, CBS News, and LA Times.

The proposal suggests the establishment of demilitarized zones where the Ukrainian army could withdraw, contingent upon reciprocal actions by Russian forces. Zelensky described this condition as crucial for any potential compromise, indicating a readiness to convert parts of Donetsk into a free economic zone governed by international oversight, revealing a level of flexibility that had not been previously articulated, as stated by India Times, AA, and BBC.

The draft plan entails further discussions on the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, currently under Russian control, with a proposal for joint management between the US, Ukraine, and Russia. However, Zelensky has expressed reluctance regarding Russian oversight of this critical facility, emphasizing that Ukraine's sovereignty must be maintained, as noted by CBS News and India Times.

As the plan is tabled for consideration by Moscow, the Kremlin's response remains unpredictable, with officials implying that major changes to territorial control are unlikely to be accepted. Nonetheless, Zelensky has indicated a cautious optimism that ongoing negotiations will yield a constructive response, as stated in reports by SCMP and AA.