Zelenskyy Signals Readiness to Withdraw Troops from Eastern Ukraine-If Russia Does the Same

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made one of his clearest overtures yet toward a potential de-escalation in eastern Ukraine, stating that Kyiv is prepared to withdraw its troops from parts of the country’s industrial heartland if Russia agrees to do the same. According to the Associated Press, the proposal hinges on the creation of a demilitarized zone in the Donbas under strict international military supervision.

The statement comes at a time when active fighting continues along multiple fronts and Moscow has shown no public willingness to dilute its core demands. Even so, Zelenskyy’s remarks offer a rare glimpse of possible compromise over the Donbas—long regarded as the most divisive and emotionally charged issue in any peace effort aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

A Conditional Proposal Focused on the Donbas

Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine’s willingness to pull back its forces is strictly conditional. Any withdrawal by Kyiv would only occur if Russian troops also retreat from the same areas and if the territory is placed under an internationally supervised demilitarized regime.

He added that the United States has floated the idea of establishing a demilitarized free economic zone in the region, aimed at stabilizing the area while encouraging long-term reconstruction and investment. However, Zelenskyy acknowledged that significant questions remain unanswered—particularly regarding governance, security enforcement, and economic administration.

Crucially, Zelenskyy stressed that any final settlement involving territorial or security arrangements would require approval through a national referendum, underscoring the political sensitivity of concessions related to eastern Ukraine.

Talks with the US Narrow Differences

Zelenskyy’s comments followed several days of intensive discussions between Ukrainian and American officials in Florida. According to the Ukrainian president, these talks resulted in a comprehensive 20-point framework outlining a possible path toward ending the conflict.

While many details remain under negotiation, Zelenskyy said the gap between Kyiv and Washington has narrowed considerably. “In principle, all other consensus in this agreement has been found between us and them,” he said, suggesting that the foundations of a broader deal may already be in place.

The renewed diplomatic push follows US President Donald trump’s peace initiative launched last month. That proposal was later revised by Ukraine and its European partners and was widely viewed by analysts as initially leaning in Moscow’s favor—raising concerns in Kyiv about long-term security implications.

Russia Remains Unmoved—for Now

Despite the diplomatic activity, Russia has given no public indication that it is prepared to vacate the territories it currently occupies. Kyiv has firmly rejected Moscow’s demand that Ukraine cede control over the remaining parts of the Donbas still held by Ukrainian forces.

At present, Russia controls more than 70 percent of the Donetsk region and the majority of neighboring Luhansk. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would determine its official position after receiving briefings from Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putin’s envoy, who recently met with US officials. However, Peskov offered no additional details, leaving Russia’s stance ambiguous.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant: A Critical Fault Line

Zelenskyy also suggested that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant—Europe’s largest and currently under Russian control—could be subject to a similar demilitarized arrangement.

The United States has reportedly proposed creating a joint company involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia, with equal ownership stakes. Zelenskyy rejected the idea outright, questioning its feasibility in the current geopolitical climate.

“After everything, how can you have joint commerce with the Russians?” he asked, reflecting deep mistrust rooted in years of conflict.

Instead, Kyiv favors a joint venture with the United States alone, which would grant Washington oversight over Ukraine’s share of the electricity generated by the plant. Zelenskyy noted that restarting the facility would require billions of dollars in investment, including extensive repairs to damaged dams and surrounding infrastructure.

Troop Withdrawals and Security Guarantees

Under the working draft of the proposal, Zelenskyy said Russian forces would also be required to withdraw from parts of the Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions. International peacekeeping forces could then be deployed at select points along the contact line to monitor compliance with any ceasefire agreement.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the plan includes what he described as “strong” security guarantees for Ukraine—comparable in effect to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause. A separate agreement with the United States would define how allies respond to any renewed Russian aggression and how violations of the ceasefire would be detected and addressed.

“The United States of America feels that this is an unprecedented step towards Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said, highlighting Washington’s role in shaping the emerging framework.

Beyond security, the draft proposal also envisions accelerated free-trade agreements, preferential access for Ukraine to European markets, and the launch of a massive reconstruction drive. That effort could mobilize up to $800 billion from public and private sources to revive Ukraine’s war-ravaged economy.

The framework further calls for holding national elections after the signing of a peace agreement, maintaining Ukraine’s armed forces at a peacetime strength of 800,000 troops, and securing the release of all detainees held since 2014. This includes civilians, political prisoners, and children allegedly transferred to Russia during the conflict.

As negotiations continue, Zelenskyy’s proposal marks a significant moment in the diplomatic narrative of the war—one that India, Europe, and the wider international community will be watching closely for signs of genuine movement toward peace.