Zelenskyy proposes compromise for Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine

William Brangham:

Welcome to the "News Hour."

Ukraine's president has floated a possible compromise to a key Russian demand that Kyiv give up territory in Eastern Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal could address one of the main sticking points that have bogged down U.S.-led negotiations, this as Ukraine marks its fourth consecutive Christmas under full-scale Russian invasion. But Moscow has given no indication whether it might agree.

Nick Schifrin joins us now.

Nick, so what did Zelenskyy say today about this critical question about the eastern part of Donetsk?

Nick Schifrin:

So this was a briefing that Zelenskyy gave to journalists in Kyiv embargoed until today where he revealed the 20 points of the 20-point peace plan.

And he talked about the fate of the Donetsk. That is the most contentious part. Zelenskyy says the current proposal would be to demilitarize or create a free economic zone in the portion of Donetsk that Ukraine still holds, but is fighting over. You see that's the light gray area inside Donetsk on the map.

Ukraine's military would have to withdraw from that territory, which Russia has failed to capture through 11 years of war. The compromise that Zelenskyy told journalists is -- quote -- "We consider a free economic zone a potential option for a sovereign state to choose." He has not used that language before.

The reason that it's potential is the decision will be left to a referendum -- quote -- "Only a referendum can determine whether people agree to such a path if the proposal for Ukraine is precisely this, either this or war."

Zelenskyy's language is dramatic there because that's how he sees it., William. Either Ukrainians agree to the entire peace plan, including converting land that they fought and died for into this free economic zone, or they reject it, the war continues, and they do not get security guarantees from the U.S. or Europe.

William Brangham:

So, on that referendum, what would be required for that to happen?

Nick Schifrin:

So, Zelenskyy went further than the text on the peace plan and talked about the conditions that he wanted to talk to President Trump and President Putin about.

Those include a cease-fire first and then 60 days to prepare the referendum. Two, Ukrainian police would remain in this so-called free economic zone. Three, only Ukrainians living in Ukrainian territory could vote. In other words, Ukrainians under occupation will be excluded. And, four, international forces must then be present on the ground to guarantee that no one enters the free economic zone under any pretext.

It is not clear whether Russia will agree to any of this, but Russia has repeatedly rejected that last point, the presence of foreign troops on the front line. And, in fact, William tonight Bloomberg is reporting that Russia is seeking changes to this text and that the text lacks provisions that are important to Moscow.

William Brangham:

A lot there. What are the other challenges still remaining?

Nick Schifrin:

The main one is the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. This is Europe's largest power plant. It's been occupied by Russia since the first days of the full-scale invasion.

And Zelenskyy said today the U.S. plan is for the U.S. to manage the plant and for the power to be somehow split between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia. Zelenskyy rejects this. He said -- quote -- "Clearly, for Ukraine, this sounds very inappropriate and not entirely realistic. How can there be joint commercial activity with the Russians after everything that has happened? We are enemies. It is very difficult to have anything in common with them moving forward."

Ukraine's counterproposal, William, Russia's withdrawal from the plant and that Ukraine and the U.S. split it 50/50, even if the U.S. chooses to send some of their half to Russia.

William Brangham:

Given all that, what has been agreed to?

Nick Schifrin:

Well, pretty much everything else. That's what Zelenskyy said.

A couple of highlights from that everything else basket, Ukraine no longer has to give up its NATO bid. Ukraine's military is now able to stand up to 800,000 soldiers during peacetime. That's up from previous numbers. And, crucially, security guarantees that the U.S. would respond very specifically if Russia opens fire on Ukraine, Zelenskyy said today that would enable a strong Ukraine.

But the war rages on, William. The Russians released video just overnight that it said attacking Donetsk and advancing in a small village of Donetsk. Meanwhile, Russia's attacks are mostly on civilian targets, Zelenskyy said. Moscow, you see there, fired hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles -- quote -- "This is how the godless strike," he said, ahead of Christmas.

William Brangham:

Nick Schifrin, thank you so much.

Nick Schifrin:

Thank you.