Zelensky Presents U.S.-Backed Peace Plan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled the latest draft of a U.S.-mediated peace framework aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, as the conflict approaches its fourth anniversary amid continued battlefield escalation and unresolved political disputes.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Zelensky presented a 20-point draft agreement developed in recent weeks by negotiators from the United States, Ukraine, and several European countries. He described the document as a political framework rather than a final settlement, intended to establish the foundations for ending hostilities.

At its core, the proposal calls for a comprehensive and unconditional non-aggression agreement between Russia and Ukraine. However, major points of contention remain unresolved, particularly territorial control in eastern Ukraine and the future of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which is currently under Russian military control near the front line.

The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the draft and that Moscow is preparing its response. Putin has recently reiterated demands that Ukraine cede approximately 5,000 square kilometers of territory in the eastern Donbas region and formally abandon its aspirations to join NATO—conditions Kyiv has consistently rejected.

Zelensky acknowledged the sensitivity of territorial issues, stating that the line of troop deployment at the time of the agreement would effectively be recognized as the contact line. He added that such matters must be addressed directly at the leadership level, signaling that high-level negotiations would be required to bridge existing gaps.

Security Guarantees at the Center of the Proposal

A central pillar of the draft agreement is the provision of strong security guarantees for Ukraine. These include maintaining a peacetime Ukrainian armed force of approximately 800,000 troops and the extension of security assurances from the United States, NATO, and European signatories that would resemble NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause.

The framework also envisions bilateral security and reconstruction agreements between Washington and Kyiv, alongside a defined pathway for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Zelensky emphasized that while the document does not constitute NATO membership, it seeks to deter future aggression by establishing credible defense commitments.

One of the most contentious unresolved issues is the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. According to the draft, the facility would be jointly administered by Ukraine, the United States, and Russia—a proposal likely to face resistance given the plant’s strategic and symbolic significance.

Domestic Legitimacy and Political Risks

Zelensky indicated that any final peace agreement would be subject to domestic approval, either through parliamentary ratification or a nationwide referendum. He suggested that a referendum on the peace deal could be held simultaneously with presidential elections, underscoring the political risks involved in endorsing any compromise.

Security guarantees, he said, would only take effect after the agreement is formally approved, highlighting Kyiv’s effort to balance international diplomacy with domestic legitimacy.

The draft also includes provisions for the release and repatriation of all detained civilians, hostages, children, and political prisoners—an issue that has gained increasing international attention.

Diplomacy Overshadowed by Escalating Attacks

Despite intensified diplomatic efforts, the war on the ground continues unabated. Early Wednesday, Russian forces launched one of their largest drone attacks in recent weeks, targeting multiple regions across Ukraine, with a heavy focus on energy infrastructure.

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia deployed 116 attack drones, nearly 90 of which were Iranian-made Shahed models. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 60 drones, but 48 struck targets across 19 locations.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, at least four people were injured during overnight attacks. While the nuclear power plant itself was not hit, residential buildings, schools, administrative facilities, and emergency services infrastructure sustained damage. Fires were reported in garage areas, and multiple vehicles were destroyed.

Ukraine’s Energy Ministry reported widespread power outages in the Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions. Officials said the electricity grid remains under severe strain as repair teams continue to address damage from earlier missile and drone attacks this month. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has recorded more than 4,500 attacks on its energy infrastructure.

An Uncertain Path Forward

The unveiling of the peace framework highlights a growing urgency among Ukraine and its Western partners to explore diplomatic off-ramps, even as military operations intensify. Whether the proposal can bridge the deep strategic divide between Kyiv and Moscow remains uncertain, particularly given Russia’s territorial demands and Ukraine’s insistence on security guarantees robust enough to prevent future aggression.

As negotiations move forward, the contrast between diplomatic overtures and battlefield realities underscores the central challenge facing any potential settlement: translating political frameworks into enforceable peace amid an ongoing war.

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