Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the latest ceasefire proposal the United States presented to Russia includes freezing the current frontlines and opening negotiations on a demilitarized zone.
Zelensky explained the outcome of recent ceasefire talks held in Miami, Florida to the press on Wednesday local time. The briefing was made public Thursday.
Regarding the latest 20-point agreement reached by U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators, Zelensky said, "The troop deployment lines as of the date of this agreement in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions will be recognized as de facto lines of contact."
He added that "a working group will be convened to determine troop redeployment for ending the conflict and the scope of potential future special economic zones."
"Russia wants us to withdraw from Donetsk, and the United States is seeking a solution," Zelensky said. "They (the U.S.) are exploring options such as a demilitarized zone or free economic zone—something that would satisfy both sides."
In this regard, Ukraine proposed that Enerhodar, a Russian-occupied city that houses the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, could become a demilitarized zone.
However, Zelensky said any plan involving Ukrainian troop withdrawal, including free economic zones, would require a national referendum.
He also explained that the ceasefire proposal includes joint management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility by the United States, Ukraine and Russia. This is a plan Ukraine has long opposed, and Zelensky reiterated that "for Ukraine, this sounds very inappropriate and completely unrealistic."
Zelensky noted that the new ceasefire proposal does not require Ukraine to formally renounce NATO membership. "Whether Ukraine joins NATO is a matter for member states to decide," he said.
On the most contentious issue of Ukrainian territorial concessions, he said the U.S. and Ukrainian negotiating teams "have not reached an agreement."
"I am ready to hold a summit-level meeting with the United States to resolve sensitive issues," Zelensky said. "Matters such as territorial issues should be discussed at the summit level."
Regarding Ukrainian presidential elections, which both the U.S. and Russia have been pressing for, he explained that the ceasefire proposal includes a provision stating "Ukraine should hold elections as soon as possible after the agreement is signed."
Zelensky said these ceasefire terms were conveyed to Russia through the United States. "We will receive Russia's response after the U.S. side consults with Russia," he said, adding that he hopes Russia will respond within Thursday.
The United States, Ukraine and Russia have been narrowing their differences through a series of talks since U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a 28-point ceasefire plan last month. However, significant gaps remain on key issues, including ceding Ukraine's Donbas region to Russia.
