Zelensky outlines features of a peace plan… and awaits Russia’s response

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the new proposal to end the war “does not require Kyiv to formally abandon its pursuit of NATO membership.”

Zelensky said, “Whether Ukraine joins or not is a decision for the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).”

He added: “We have made our choice and moved away from the proposed amendments to the Ukrainian Constitution that would have prevented Ukraine from joining NATO,” referring to an earlier plan drafted by the United States that would have legally bound Kyiv not to join the military alliance.

Zelensky announced that Ukraine will hold presidential elections as soon as possible after reaching an agreement to end the war with Russia, under the latest draft plan agreed with Washington.

Speaking to journalists, including an AFP correspondent, he said that a clause in the plan submitted to Moscow stipulates that “Ukraine must hold elections as soon as possible after the agreement is signed.”

The Ukrainian president added that the draft proposal to end the war also provides for Ukraine, Russia, and the United States to jointly operate the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — currently occupied by Russian forces — something Kyiv rejects.

He explained: “The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant would be jointly operated by three countries: Ukraine, the United States, and Russia… For Ukraine, this seems largely inappropriate and unrealistic.”

He went on: “We have not reached agreement with the American side regarding the territory of the Donetsk region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant,” adding, “We are ready to hold a leaders-level meeting with the United States to address these sensitive issues.”

He added: “Issues such as those related to territory must be discussed at the leaders’ level.”

He did not specify whether the proposed meeting would include Vladimir Putin, although Zelensky has long called for a meeting with his Russian counterpart.

The Ukrainian president expressed hope of receiving a response from Moscow on Wednesday regarding the latest draft plan to end the war.

Zelensky said: “We will get the Russian response after the American side speaks with them.”

The peace plan consists of 20 points and was agreed during talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Miami over the weekend.