Zelenskyy: Ukraine and US Agree on Most Points of Peace Plan

WISE NEWS PRESS / KYIV, UKRAINE — DEC. 25, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine and the United States have reached a consensus on the majority of a 20-item peace plan aimed at ending the four-year war with Russia. However, critical disagreements remain regarding the control of the Donbas region and the management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

The announcement comes as the United States shared the latest draft of the plan with Russian negotiators, with a formal response from Moscow expected by Wednesday. While progress has been made on most fronts, Zelenskyy identified the future of Donetsk and Luhansk—collectively known as Donbas—as the "most difficult point" of the ongoing discussions.

Dispute Over Donbas and Nuclear Management

The primary point of contention remains Russia’s demand for Ukraine to cede territories in the Donbas that it has not yet captured, a demand Kyiv firmly rejects. To facilitate a compromise, Washington has proposed converting these areas into "free economic zones". Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is demanding the total demilitarization of the region and the presence of an international force to ensure long-term stability.

Regarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, currently under Russian occupation, the US has proposed a consortium where both sides hold equal stakes. Zelenskyy, however, countered with a proposal for a joint venture between the US and Ukraine, assuming Washington would eventually transfer its share to Kyiv. He further suggested that the adjacent city of Enerhodar be designated as a demilitarized free economic zone.

Referendum Requirements and Contact Lines

The draft plan stipulates that the current contact line, which cuts through five Ukrainian regions, should be frozen immediately upon the signing of the agreement. Zelenskyy emphasized that any initiative to establish free economic zones must be approved by the Ukrainian people through a national referendum. He noted that this democratic process would take approximately 60 days, during which all hostilities must cease.

Furthermore, the proposal includes the withdrawal of Russian forces from the Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions. To prevent a repeat of the failed 2014 and 2015 Minsk agreements, Zelenskyy insisted on the deployment of international monitors. These forces would guarantee that no Russian troops, whether in uniform or "civilian disguise," could enter the demilitarized zones.

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