Zelenskyy Proposes Donbas DMZ in 20-Point Peace Plan Amid Trump's Push for Ceasefire

Is it a genuine peace offer or a calculated diplomatic move? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signaled Kyiv is willing to turn parts of the Donbas region into a demilitarised zone (DMZ), representing his biggest territorial concession to date. The proposal comes as Ukraine faces mounting pressure from both Russian military advances and U.S. President Donald Trump to agree to a ceasefire with Moscow.

Zelenskyy also mentioned a second DMZ near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is currently under Russian control. He said these proposals are part of a 20-point peace plan, reportedly backed by the U.S., aimed at ending the war.

Sticking Points in the Peace Plan

The plan, formulated by Washington and Kyiv negotiators in Florida, addresses several contentious issues. On Ukraine's potential NATO membership, Kyiv is resisting pressure to amend its constitution to guarantee neutrality, with Zelenskyy stating, "Our choice has been made." Any territorial concessions would require a national referendum, and a presidential election would only be held after a peace agreement is signed.

Can a DMZ Work in Ukraine?

Russia has demanded full control of the Donbas region and currently occupies nearly all of Luhansk and 70 percent of Donetsk. The new proposal suggests Ukraine would pull its troops out of the territory it controls there, as long as Russia agrees not to occupy it. However, it's unclear how such a DMZ would be governed or who would enforce the rules.

Moscow has yet to accept or reject the plan. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that Russia was "formulating its position." While historical examples like the Korean DMZ have successfully prevented large-scale conflict, they often freeze disputes rather than resolve them, showing the inherent limitations of such zones.