Zelensky Proposes Demilitarised Zones to End Ukraine War

KYIV : In a major push to halt the four-year war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed a revised peace roadmap that could see a significant military pullback in exchange for ironclad security guarantees.

The updated 20-point plan, hammered out with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys in Miami, introduces the concept of “Free Economic Zones” in the volatile Donbas region. Under the proposal, Ukrainian and Russian heavy forces would pull back by up to 40km to create a buffer, which would be patrolled by Ukrainian police and international monitors.

Key Highlights of the 20-Point Plan:

NATO-style protection backed by the U.S. and Europe.

Ukraine to maintain a standing army of 800,000.

Mutual withdrawal of forces from the contact line.

Any final agreement on territorial status must pass a national referendum.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously demanded a full Ukrainian retreat from the Donetsk region, Zelensky believes the Kremlin will find it difficult to reject a plan backed by the Trump administration.

“They cannot tell President Trump they are against a peaceful settlement,” Zelensky said. He warned that if Moscow obstructs the deal, the U.S. would be forced to “arm Ukraine heavily” while imposing maximum sanctions.

The plan now awaits an official response from Moscow, expected as early as Wednesday.