Ukraine's Peace Proposal: Free Economic Zone for Eastern Heartland

Ukraine's Peace Proposal to Russia

• 🇺🇦 Ukraine has presented a 20-point draft proposal to Russia, formulated with the US, following peace talks.
• 🤝 Consensus has been reached on several issues, including security guarantees mirroring NATO's Article 5 and support for economic growth and reconstruction.

Key Sticking Points

• ❓ Significant disagreements remain regarding territorial control in eastern Ukraine and the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
• 🇷🇺 Russia demands Ukraine withdraw from territory in the eastern industrial heartland, a demand Ukraine has repeatedly rejected.

Proposed Compromises

• 💡 The US proposes a compromise for the eastern industrial heartland to become a free economic zone.
• 🗳️ Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated this is contingent on a referendum for the Ukrainian people to decide the territory's fate.
• 🤝 Regarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the US proposed a joint venture with equal partnership between the US, Ukraine, and Russia.
• 🚫 Zelenskyy counterproposed a 50/50 joint venture between Ukraine and the US, as Ukraine does not wish to do business directly with Russia.

Next Steps

• ⏳ The path of the peace process now depends on Russia's response to the proposal, expected in the coming hours and days.