In a landmark shift toward a negotiated settlement, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed openness to creating a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland. This proposal, discussed during high-level talks in Florida, marks a significant tactical pivot in Ukraine’s peace strategy.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Core Proposal: “Land for Peace” Framework
The plan envisions a mutual withdrawal of forces from frontline regions in the Donbas to create a buffer zone. Key features include:
- Symmetric Withdrawal: Ukrainian forces would pull back from specific areas in Donetsk, provided Russian forces conduct an equal withdrawal from occupied territory.
- International Peacekeepers: The zone would be secured and monitored by neutral international observers to prevent skirmishes.
- Economic Transformation: Zelenskyy proposed turning these contested areas into “Free Economic Zones,” aiming to attract Western investment and jumpstart reconstruction.
- Nuclear Safety: A specific demilitarization is proposed for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to eliminate the risk of a catastrophic accident.
Strategic Objectives
By putting this offer on the table, the Ukrainian administration aims to achieve three goals:
- Shift the Pressure: The proposal places the “burden of peace” on Moscow. If Russia refuses, it portrays the Kremlin as the sole aggressor to the international community.
- Engage the U.S.: The focus on “economic zones” is designed to align with the business-centric foreign policy of the current U.S. administration.
- National Legitimacy: Zelenskyy has maintained that any final agreement involving territorial concessions or troop withdrawals must be approved by the Ukrainian people via a national referendum.
Remaining Obstacles
The path to a ceasefire remains difficult due to several “red line” issues:
| Obstacle | Description |
| Russian Demands | Moscow continues to demand full control over four Ukrainian regions and insists Ukraine cannot join NATO. |
| Security Guarantees | Kyiv insists on “ironclad” guarantees—similar to NATO protection—to prevent Russia from re-invading in the future. |
| Troop Levels | Disagreement persists over the future size of Ukraine’s military; Kyiv wants 800,000 personnel, while Moscow seeks a much smaller force. |
