Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled an updated peace proposal that includes the potential withdrawal of troops from eastern regions to create demilitarised zones. This significant shift in strategy, developed in consultation with US officials, aims to pave the way for an eventual end to the protracted conflict with Russia. The proposal, a 20-point framework, is now awaiting a response from Moscow.
Central to the revised plan is the suggestion that the heavily contested Donbas region could be designated a “free economic zone.” While details on governance and development remain to be ironed out, this initiative signals Kyiv’s willingness to explore unconventional solutions to de-escalate hostilities. A similar demilitarised arrangement is also being considered for the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian occupation.
The latest peace initiative represents a counter-proposal to an earlier 28-point document that had seen agreement between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian representatives. However, Russia has yet to indicate any inclination to withdraw from territories it has seized, presenting a substantial hurdle to achieving a breakthrough.
Meanwhile, reports indicate continued military activity along the front lines. Ukraine’s military stated that its forces are maintaining pressure around Pokrovsk, a key eastern logistics hub, and are working to disrupt Russian troop supply lines. Fighting for control of the city, which has seen intense battles this month, remains a focal point of the ongoing conflict.
In parallel, Russia claims its air defence systems intercepted a significant number of Ukrainian drones on Wednesday. Moscow’s defence ministry reported downing 132 drones across various regions, while the mayor of Moscow stated 16 drones targeting the capital were neutralised. These claims could not be independently verified by The Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine, however, reported successfully striking a strategically important synthetic rubber factory in Tula Oblast. The facility is alleged to supply crucial materials for Russian military vehicles and weapon systems, marking a notable Ukrainian strike on Russian industrial capacity. The broader conflict also saw an environmental incident, with an oil spill in Odesa blamed on Russian strikes damaging sunflower oil storage tanks, affecting local birdlife.
President Zelensky has expressed optimism that the latest proposals, which include security guarantees from the US, NATO, and Europe against future Russian aggression, have brought the two sides closer to consensus. He acknowledged that while not all aspects have been finalised, significant common ground has been established with American negotiators on the core elements of the agreement.
The proposal for the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant involves a potential joint venture between the US and Ukraine, with the US having decision-making power on how to distribute its share, potentially including Russia. This approach is a counter-proposal to an earlier US suggestion for a tripartite consortium with equal stakes for Ukraine and Russia.
