According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a new proposal has come from the United States, intended to break the deadlock in negotiations to end the war. Washington reportedly demands that Ukraine withdraw its troops from the Donbas region, with the establishment of a "free economic zone" in the areas currently under Kyiv's control. At the same time, American negotiators have promised that Russian forces would not advance into these territories after the Ukrainian withdrawal.

Zelenskyy, speaking to journalists in Kyiv, stated that the United States had previously suggested the possibility of handing over the remaining part of the Donbas to Moscow. The new proposal is intended to be a compromise, but according to the Ukrainian president, it is very unclear who would manage such a zone and what would guarantee its security. Zelenskyy believes that if one side withdraws and the other remains unchanged, there is a fundamental risk that Russian troops – possibly in civilian clothing – could simply enter the area and take control of it.

Ukraine, therefore, insists on guarantees that would prevent any Russian advance after the Ukrainian withdrawal. The president also emphasized that any agreement would have to be approved through elections or a referendum, as only the Ukrainian people can decide on issues of territorial concessions.

According to the proposed American concept, Ukraine would withdraw from the Donbas, while the front line in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions would be frozen. Moscow would cede only small enclaves in other regions. However, the negotiations have been consistently complicated by the pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticizes Zelenskyy and claims he has not even read the draft agreement.

Despite this, Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv had sent Washington a revised version of its position, with the issues of territory and future control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remaining contentious. He stated that the negotiations are a dynamic process that is constantly evolving.

However, a fundamental question remains on the Russian side: whether Vladimir Putin is truly prepared to sign an agreement, or whether he is simply waiting for the opportunity to continue his offensive during the winter. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned in Berlin on the same day that if Russia achieves its goals in Ukraine, the risk of a larger conflict in Europe would dramatically increase.

Meanwhile, some European politicians believe that Ukraine may eventually be forced to accept difficult compromises. However, the leaders of France, Britain, and Germany assured Zelenskyy that only Kyiv can decide on territorial issues. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that a forced peace would not be accepted by Ukrainians after years of sacrifices.

In the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, negotiations were also taking place between Ukraine and representatives of the EU regarding the next steps in the path to membership, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán continues to block the formal opening of accession talks.

gnews.cz - GH