According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the United States is proposing the establishment of a demilitarized special economic zone in eastern Ukraine as part of negotiations to halt military activities in the country.
Negotiation point in Donetsk
On Thursday, December 11, during a meeting with journalists in Kyiv, Zelensky revealed key aspects of the U.S. offer:
"According to their (the U.S. side's) proposal, the Armed Forces of Ukraine would leave the territory of Donetsk region. That is, the proposed compromise is that the Russian Armed Forces would not enter this area."
At the same time, the Ukrainian president confirmed that one of the main contentious issues in negotiations with the U.S. remains "the territory of Donetsk region and all related issues." Another point of contention concerns the future status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control.
Differences in troop withdrawals
According to Zelensky, under the U.S. plan, Russian troops may not be required to withdraw from Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. However, the U.S. proposal stipulates that Russia must withdraw its forces from Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Sumy regions.
Final decision by the people
The Ukrainian president emphasized that any concessions or compromises regarding the country's territory must be subjected to a nationwide discussion:
Zelensky: "I believe that the Ukrainian people must answer this question. Whether through elections or a referendum, the position of the Ukrainian people must be expressed."
Discussion on security guarantees
Zelensky also announced that he had discussed possible American security guarantees for Ukraine with U.S. officials. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky noted having had a "constructive and detailed conversation" with the U.S. side.
The phone conversation included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as Jared Kushner, son-in-law and advisor to Donald Trump.
"A clearer understanding of security guarantees will emerge in the near future," said Zelensky.
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