Zelenskyy Navigates Complex US Peace Proposal for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that the United States is pushing for Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the contested Donbas region to facilitate the creation of a free economic zone in areas currently held by Kyiv. This new approach, however, raises critical questions about governance, security, and the stability of the region. During a press conference in Kyiv, Zelenskyy noted that the latest US proposal differs from earlier calls for Ukraine to cede control of its territories to Russia. Instead, it suggests that Ukrainian forces would retreat without a corresponding retreat of Russian troops, creating a precarious situation where Ukraine would relinquish control while Russia maintains its positions. "Who will govern this territory?" Zelenskyy questioned, expressing skepticism regarding this so-called free economic zone or demilitarized zone without adequate guarantees against Russian military expansion. The Ukrainian leader underscored the inherent unfairness of a plan that allows one side to withdraw while the other remains entrenched. He highlighted the risk of Russian troops disguising themselves as civilians to seize control of the area—a concern that casts doubt over the reliability of any agreement lacking robust protections. "This is all very serious. If you are talking about a compromise, it has to be a fair compromise," he stated. In a potential scenario where Ukraine were to agree to such terms, Zelenskyy insisted that any decision regarding territorial concessions should be made through a referendum or elections, emphasizing that the Ukrainian people must have the final say. Under the current US strategy, Ukraine is expected to withdraw from parts of Donbas, while fighting continues in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, with Russia possibly relinquishing some insignificant territories elsewhere. Adding pressure on Zelenskyy, former President Donald Trump has recently criticized him for not engaging sufficiently with the US peace plan, speculating about Zelenskyy's legitimacy and suggesting that the Ukrainian president ought to hold elections. In response, Zelenskyy revealed that the Ukrainian negotiating team had submitted its revisions to Washington, citing unresolved issues around territory and control of critical infrastructure like the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. While the discussions continue, a significant concern looms: whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is genuinely interested in reaching an agreement or if he is merely engaging in negotiations to stall for time while advancing military operations. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned that allowing Putin to have his way could precipitate a fresh wave of war in Europe, suggesting that the continent has grown complacent about the threat from Russia. Rutte emphasized the need for all European countries to bolster their defense spending to prepare for potential conflict, stating, "Too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now." Zelenskyy also engaged in discussions with about 30 global leaders supportive of Ukraine, excluding Trump. European sentiments are increasingly recognizing that Ukraine may face painful compromises as it heads into another winter of full-scale war, compounded by relentless Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Yet, European leaders, including those from France, Britain, and Germany, seek to assure that only Ukraine should dictate its territorial issues. They argue that pressuring Zelenskyy into a peace that is unacceptable to the Ukrainian populace after enduring numerous hardships would be a grave error. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed, "It would be a mistake to force the Ukrainian president into a peace that his people will not accept after four years of suffering and death." To strengthen Ukraine’s position, Zelenskyy mentioned plans to sign two additional agreements in the coming days related to security guarantees against further Russian aggression and Ukraine’s economic renewal. In a separate vein, top EU officials convened in Lviv to discuss the prospects of Ukraine's accession to the EU, despite obstructions from Hungary's pro-Russian leadership. EU officials remain optimistic about Ukraine's membership, advocating for progress in aligning its regulations with EU standards. Marta Kos, the EU enlargement commissioner, asserted that Ukraine's membership could become a reality regardless of Hungary's stance, as long as the country progresses. Zelenskyy expressed hope that Trump would leverage his influence to sway Hungary and any other countries obstructing Ukraine’s EU ambitions. "We all understand that the US president has various levers of influence and these will work on those currently blocking Ukraine," he stated. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2