Zelenskyy Presents 20-Point Peace Framework for Ending the War

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has outlined a 20-point draft framework for a political agreement aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Gaze informs about it, referring to Ukrinform.

Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy described the document as a non-final political framework involving Ukraine, the U.S., Europe and Russia. He stressed that the provisions may still change during negotiations but said the sides are close to finalizing most elements.

Below is a structured summary of the 20 points as presented by the Ukrainian president.

Point 1. Ukraine’s sovereignty will be explicitly reaffirmed. All signatories will formally recognize Ukraine as a sovereign state.

Point 2. The agreement will constitute a full and unconditional non-aggression pact between Ukraine and Russia. A long-term monitoring mechanism will oversee the line of contact using space-based surveillance, early-warning systems and conflict-prevention tools.

Point 3. Ukraine will receive strong, enforceable security guarantees.

Point 4. Ukraine’s armed forces will remain at a peacetime level of 800,000 troops.

Point 5. The United States, NATO and European signatories will provide security guarantees to Ukraine modeled on NATO’s Article 5.

Point 6. Russia will legally codify a policy of non-aggression toward Ukraine and Europe, including ratification by an overwhelming majority in the State Duma.

Point 7. Ukraine will accede to the EU within a clearly defined timeframe and gain short-term preferential access to EU markets.

Point 8. Ukraine will receive a comprehensive global development package, to be set out in a separate investment and prosperity agreement covering multiple economic sectors.

Point 9. Several international funds will be established for economic recovery, reconstruction and humanitarian needs, with a target of raising $800 billion through equity, grants, debt instruments and private-sector contributions.

Point 10. Ukraine will accelerate negotiations on a free trade agreement with the U.S. once the peace deal is signed.

Point 11. Ukraine will reaffirm its status as a non-nuclear state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Point 12. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant would be jointly operated by Ukraine, the U.S. and Russia. Operational details remain under discussion, with Kyiv reluctant to engage directly with Russia.

Point 13. Both sides will implement education programs promoting cultural understanding and tolerance. Ukraine will apply EU standards on religious freedom and minority language protections.

Point 14. The point about territorial arrangements remains unresolved and includes alternative options: a de facto freeze along current lines in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, monitored by international forces, or creation of a demilitarized free economic zone in parts of Donbas, requiring mirrored troop withdrawals and ratification through a nationwide Ukrainian referendum. Final decisions would be made at the level of national leaders.

Point 15. Both Ukraine and Russia would commit not to alter agreed territorial arrangements by force.

Point 16. Russia would not obstruct Ukraine’s commercial use of the Dnipro River or the Black Sea. Separate maritime and access agreements would guarantee freedom of navigation, including demilitarization of the Kinburn Spit.

Point 17. A humanitarian committee would oversee the exchange of all remaining prisoners of war, the return of detained civilians, political prisoners and forcibly deported children.

Point 18. Ukraine would hold elections as soon as possible after the agreement enters into force.

Point 19. The agreement would be legally binding and supervised by a Peace Council chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Point 20. A full and immediate ceasefire would take effect once all parties formally approve the agreement.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv and Washington have not yet reached consensus on territorial issues in the Donetsk region or on the Zaporizhzhia plant, but agreement has been achieved on most other provisions. 

He added that Russia’s response is expected following U.S. consultations and that leader-level talks may be required to resolve the remaining disputes.

“In fact, thanks to these guarantee documents, we will be able to see a strong Ukraine – a Ukraine with the support of the Coalition of the Willing, with a mechanism for monitoring compliance with peace and with specific responses to a possible renewal of aggression by Russia,” the president said.

In addition, Zelenskyy stressed that any proposal involving a potential free economic zone in Donbas would require public approval, noting that if talks collapse over the formula of “standing where we stand,” Ukraine would face only two options: continuing the war or asking citizens to decide how disputed territories and possible economic arrangements should be resolved.

As The Gaze reported earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been briefed on the results of recent meetings between the Ukrainian delegation and U.S. officials.  

Read also on The Gaze: Zelenskyy: I Believe the US Has Power To Convince Russia to End the War