On December 25, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin is analyzing documents on the end of the conflict in Ukraine.
Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the content of the 20-point plan during a 2-hour discussion with the press on December 24.
Mr Zelensky said that Ukraine has achieved some concession in the latest version of the US-led draft peace plan to end the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that there were some contents in the update document that he was not satisfied with. However, Kiev has achieved important results in removing the requirement for Ukraine to immediately withdraw troops from the Donetsk region, as well as recognizing the territories under the control of Russian soldiers as Russian.
The Ukrainian leader said that the proposal of these 20 points could still pave the way for Kiev to withdraw part of its troops, including the forces controlling about 20% of the Donetsk region. Desert zones will be established in these areas.
The plan also eliminates the requirement to force Ukraine to legally abandon its aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO).
In the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, the route of deployment at the time of this agreement coming into effect will be effectively recognized as a contact line, President Zelensky said of the 20-point peace plan.
The Ukrainian leader added that a working group will be established to determine the necessary resettlement of forces to end the conflict, while developing criteria for particularly potential economic zones in the future.
This shows that the latest peace plan could open up a way out for options that Ukraine had previously questioned, including withdrawing troops and establishing non-military zones.
We are in a situation where Russia wants us to withdraw from the Donetsk region, while the US side is trying to reconcile. They are considering a model of a non-military zone or free economic zone, which is a format that can satisfy both sides," he added.
President Zelensky said that any plan related to Ukraine's withdrawal must be submitted to a popular consultation.
If we talk about the free economic zone, we have to hold a consultation, he said, referring to the possibility that the areas where Ukraine withdraws troops will become free and non-military trade zones.
Regarding NATO, Mr. Zelensky affirmed: "Whether or not to admit Ukraine is the choice of NATO member states."
The 20-point peace plan announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on December 24 also mentioned the US, Ukraine and Russia jointly managing the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest nuclear power plant currently controlled by the Russian military. President Zelensky stressed that he personally did not want Russia to participate in monitoring the nuclear facility.
Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky also said that Ukraine will only hold presidential elections after reaching a peace agreement.
