As reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP), The Kyiv Independent and multiple other foreign media outlets, Ukraine and the United States have jointly formulated a revised peace plan draft aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict following weeks of negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed this 20-point framework document to journalists on the 24th, a revised version of the original 28-point proposal after further consultations.
Zelensky stated on the same day that “we have made significant progress in finalizing the document”. The 20-point peace plan draft is expected to be submitted to Moscow by the United States later on December 24. If approved, the final document shall be jointly signed by the leaders of Ukraine, the United States, Europe and Russia, though the specific European signatories have yet to be confirmed. Ukrainian media reported that a ceasefire is expected to take effect immediately upon the signing of the agreement. In addition, the entry into force of the agreement also requires ratification by Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) and/or the support of the Ukrainian people via a referendum that may be held within 60 days.
The Kyiv Independent noted that Ukraine and the United States have yet to reach a consensus on two major issues in the revised draft — Points 12 and 14, which involve the control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the control of the Donbas region. Furthermore, the draft makes no mention of Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO.
AFP reported that Zelensky did not release the full text of the draft, but outlined its contents point by point at a press briefing with journalists in Kyiv, as follows:
- Ukraine’s sovereignty shall be reaffirmed.
- This document shall constitute a comprehensive and unconditional non-aggression pact between Russia and Ukraine. A monitoring mechanism will be established by both sides, which will conduct supervision over the “line of contact” via satellite and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to ensure early detection of violations and resolve the conflict.
- Ukraine shall receive robust security guarantees.
- The Armed Forces of Ukraine will maintain a peacetime strength of 800,000 personnel.
- The United States, NATO and European signatories shall provide Ukraine with security guarantees analogous to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
- Russia shall formally enshrine its non-aggression stance toward Europe and Ukraine in all its necessary legal documents.
- Ukraine shall accede to the European Union (EU) within a clearly specified timeframe and be granted preferential access to the European market in the short term.
- A strong global development package shall be provided to Ukraine, which will be specified in a separate agreement on investment and future prosperity, covering multiple economic sectors.
- A number of funds shall be established to address Ukraine’s economic recovery, the reconstruction of damaged regions and humanitarian issues.
- Upon the conclusion of this agreement, Ukraine shall accelerate the process of reaching a free trade agreement with the United States.
- Ukraine reaffirms that it will remain a non-nuclear state in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
- The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant shall be jointly operated by Ukraine, Russia and the United States.
- Both countries commit to implementing educational programs in schools and across society to promote understanding and inclusiveness of diverse cultures, and to eradicate racism and prejudice.
- In the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, the military frontlines as of the date of the signing of this agreement shall be designated as the “line of contact”.
- Following the conclusion of a future agreement on territorial arrangements, Russia and Ukraine shall commit to not altering such agreements by force.
- Russia shall not impede Ukraine’s use of the Dnieper River and the Black Sea for commercial purposes.
- A humanitarian commission shall be established to resolve outstanding issues.
- Ukraine shall hold a general election as soon as practicable after the signing of the agreement.
- This agreement shall be legally binding, and its implementation shall be supervised and guaranteed by a Peace Council chaired by Trump. Ukraine, Europe, NATO, Russia and the United States shall be part of this mechanism, and any breach of the agreement shall be subject to sanctions.
- A comprehensive ceasefire shall take immediate effect once all parties have consented to this agreement.
