Key Takeaways:
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky had a positive conversation with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
- A 20-point peace plan was agreed upon by US and Ukrainian envoys, which includes security guarantees from the US, Nato, and Europeans for a coordinated military response if Russia invades Ukraine again.
- The plan offers Russia the potential withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the east and the creation of a demilitarized zone in their place.
- A "free economic zone" is a potential option for Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, with any area that Ukrainian troops pull out of being policed by Ukraine.
- Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are ongoing, while fighting continues on the ground, with the Ukrainian military striking a key Russian oil refinery and Russian forces taking control of a settlement in the Donetsk region.
Introduction to the Peace Talks
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed optimism about a conversation he had with US envoys on how to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. The conversation, which lasted nearly an hour, took place on Thursday and included discussions on "new ideas in terms of formats, meetings, and timing on how to bring a real peace closer." Zelensky’s positive assessment of the conversation is a significant development in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. The US envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have been holding talks with both Ukraine and Russia in an effort to reach a deal to end the war, which was started by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The 20-Point Peace Plan
The conversation between Zelensky and the US envoys came a day after the Ukrainian president gave details of an updated 20-point peace plan, agreed upon by US and Ukrainian envoys in Florida. The plan is seen as an update to a previous proposal drafted by Witkoff and Russian negotiators, which was widely criticized for being heavily geared towards Russia’s demands. The updated plan includes security guarantees from the US, Nato, and Europeans for a coordinated military response if Russia invades Ukraine again. Additionally, the plan offers Russia the potential withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the east and the creation of a demilitarized zone in their place. Zelensky emphasized that any area that Ukrainian troops pull out of would have to be policed by Ukraine, and a "free economic zone" is a potential option for Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.
Kremlin’s Response
The Kremlin has announced that it is analyzing the proposals brought back from the US by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow is examining the material and will continue communication with the Americans depending on the decisions made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin’s response is a significant development, as it indicates that Russia is willing to consider the proposals and engage in further diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. However, it remains to be seen whether Russia will be willing to make concessions and agree to a peace deal that meets Ukraine’s demands.
Continued Fighting
Despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts, fighting continues on the ground. The Ukrainian military announced on Thursday that it had struck one of Russia’s key oil refineries in the southern region of Rostov with cruise missiles. The Novoshakhtinsk refinery near the Ukrainian border is critical for supplying fuel for Russian military operations in occupied eastern Ukraine. The Russian defense ministry, on the other hand, announced that its forces had taken control of the settlement of Sviato-Pokrovske in the Donetsk region. The continued fighting highlights the complexity and challenges of resolving the conflict, and the need for a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement.
Next Steps
Zelensky has announced that Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov will speak again to the US envoys soon, indicating that diplomatic efforts will continue in the coming days. The US envoys have been tasked with passing along Christmas greetings to US President Donald Trump and the entire Trump family, which Zelensky hopes will help to build momentum for a peace deal. As the diplomatic efforts inch forward, it remains to be seen whether a breakthrough can be achieved, and whether the parties can agree on a peace deal that meets the needs and concerns of all sides. The international community will be closely watching the developments, hoping that a peaceful resolution to the conflict can be achieved soon.
