Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy revealed that the United States has proposed establishing a ‘free economic zone’ in portions of the eastern Donbas region, contingent on Ukrainian forces withdrawing as part of a negotiated settlement with Russia. The suggestion emerged during discussions between Ukrainian and American officials, as both sides work toward a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict. Zelenskiy emphasized that Kyiv has submitted an updated peace framework to Washington, consisting of multiple documents still under refinement. He noted the Trump administration is seeking a comprehensive understanding of the plan by Christmas. n nTerritorial disputes remain a central obstacle. While Russia insists on control over the entire Donbas, Ukraine maintains its position along the current contact line. As a potential compromise, the US has floated the idea of transforming certain areas into economically open zones following Ukrainian withdrawal. Russia, meanwhile, refers to these areas as ‘demilitarized.’ n nZelenskiy raised concerns about implementation, questioning how such a zone would be governed and policed. He warned that without reciprocal troop withdrawals, Russian forces could exploit the arrangement by moving into vacated areas under civilian cover. He stressed that any agreement must be balanced, asking why only Ukrainian forces should retreat without equivalent Russian pullbacks. n nHe also highlighted the need for enforceable security assurances, citing Ukraine’s past experience with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which security guarantees from Russia were later violated. According to Zelenskiy, future agreements must clearly define international responses in the event of renewed aggression. n nTalks with US envoys, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, were described as constructive. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also participated. Upcoming discussions are planned in Paris among US, European, and Ukrainian representatives, though the White House has not confirmed whether it will send a delegate. President Trump has reportedly expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations. n nZelenskiy indicated that a ceasefire would likely follow only after a formal framework is signed, acknowledging Russia’s refusal to halt hostilities without a prior agreement. Ultimately, he stated, any territorial decision would be subject to the Ukrainian people through elections or a referendum. n
— News Original —nUS proposes ‘free economic zone’ in parts of Donbas after Ukrainian pullback, Zelensky saysnThe United States has suggested creating a “free economic zone” in parts of the eastern Donbas region from which Ukraine would withdraw under a negotiated peace with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday. n nIn wide-ranging comments to reporters, Zelensky said that Kyiv has presented the US with an updated version of a peace plan — “not a single document, but a set of documents,” many of which need to be finalized. He said the Trump administration wants a “full understanding” of the status of the plan by Christmas. n nQuestions of territory remain unresolved, the Ukrainian leader said. “The Russians want the whole of the Donbas — but we, of course, do not accept this,” he explained. Russia has been fighting in the Donbas region, which spans the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, since 2014. Moscow is now trying to secure through US-mediated peace negotiations what it has been unable to win through force of arms. n n“Our position is that it is fair to stand where we stand — that is, on the contact line,” Zelensky said. “Therefore, there is a discussion between these different positions, and it has not yet been decided.” n nAs a compromise, Zelensky said the US has discussed creating a “free economic zone” in the parts of the Donbas from which Ukrainian troops would withdraw. The Russians refer to the territory under discussion as a “demilitarized” zone, he added. n nWhile this might break the diplomatic impasse, Zelensky said, “serious” questions remain about who would manage the territory, and how to ensure that troop withdrawals were fair and reciprocal. n n“If someone withdraws from one side — as they want Ukrainians to do — why doesn’t the other side of the war withdraw the same distance in the other direction?” he asked. Russia should also have to withdraw from land that it currently holds, not just Ukraine, he suggested. n nZelensky also questioned who would police the “free economic zone.” n n“If some troops have to leave and other troops remain where they are, what exactly will prevent these other troops — i.e. Russian troops — from going further? Or from infiltrating the ‘free economic zone’ under the guise of ‘civilians’ and taking control of it? This is all very serious,” he said. n nThe Ukrainian leader cautioned that “it is not a fact that we, as Ukraine, will accept this — but when you talk to us about compromise, you have to offer a fair compromise.” He said the question of territory would ultimately be for “the people of Ukraine” to answer, either through elections or a referendum. n nPush for peace n nIn separate comments, Zelensky said his delegates held “constructive” talks with the US negotiating team, which included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law. NATO chief Mark Rutte also joined the talks, Zelensky said. n nA European official told CNN that US, European and Ukrainian officials will convene this weekend in Paris for further talks on the peace plan that Trump hopes can bring Russia’s nearly four-year-old war to an end. n nBut White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it is “up in the air” whether the Trump administration will send a representative to this weekend’s talks. She said the president has grown “extremely frustrated with both sides of the war” and is “sick of meetings just for the sake of meeting.” n nZelensky told reporters that the US wants the process to finish as soon as possible. “I think they really wanted, and maybe still want, to have a full understanding of where we stand with this agreement by Christmas,” he said. n nAsked when a ceasefire might begin, Zelensky said this will likely only happen after the warring sides sign a framework agreement. While Ukraine has long called for an immediate ceasefire as a test of Russia’s seriousness about peace, Zelensky conceded that “it is no secret that the Russians will not agree to a ceasefire if there is no agreement.” n nAfter his conversations with the US delegates, Zelensky said security guarantees remain critical for the next stages of the peace process. n n“We already had a negative experience with the Budapest Memorandum,” he said. He referred to a 1994 agreement under which newly independent Ukraine gave up the nuclear weapons parked on its territory after the collapse of the Soviet Union in exchange for Russia’s pledge to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. n n“Everyone remembers this, as well as the fact that Russia has repeatedly violated all its other commitments,” Zelensky said. “Therefore, it is now important that this document on security guarantees provides specific answers to what concerns Ukrainians most: What actions will our partners take if Russia decides to renew its aggression.”