Ukraine accepted the creation of a demilitarized zone to move forward with Trump's peace plan

The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, agreed to demilitarize around 30% of the Donbas region that still remains under Kyiv's control and turn it into a "free economic zone," in what represents a key concession within the 20-point peace plan presented this week by the president of the United States, Donald Trump.

The initiative seeks to unblock the conflict and move toward an immediate ceasefire, while maintaining Ukrainian sovereignty and laying solid foundations for reconstruction and regional stability.

The proposal, unveiled this Wednesday, is part of a broader package accompanied by three additional documents, not yet published, that detail security guarantees, verification mechanisms, and economic commitments.

Sources close to the negotiations indicated that the texts are the result of a month of intense diplomacy led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who maintained direct and prolonged contacts with representatives of Ukraine and Russia.

According to the plan, Ukraine will remain a sovereign state independent from Russia, a principle that all signatories explicitly recognize. To prevent the conflict from resuming, an international monitoring mechanism of the contact line will be established through unmanned observation based in space, with the aim of detecting violations at an early stage and facilitating the resolution of incidents.

One of the central pillars of the agreement is the package of security guarantees. The United States, NATO, and the European signatory states will commit to respond in a coordinated manner if Russia invades Ukraine again, also triggering the full reinstatement of global sanctions against Moscow.

These guarantees, however, would cease to apply if Ukraine initiated unprovoked attacks against Russian territory. Meanwhile, the size of the Ukrainian armed forces would be limited to 800,000 personnel in peacetime.

The plan also provides that Russia will formalize a policy of non-aggression toward Ukraine and Europe in its legislation and official documents. In the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, the line of military deployment in force at the time of signing would be recognized de facto as the contact line, with both parties committing not to alter it by force.

On the political and economic front, the agreement outlines an ambitious roadmap for Ukraine's recovery. It establishes the country's accession to the European Union within a defined timeframe, privileged access to the European market in the short term, and the negotiation of a free trade agreement with the United States.

It also provides for a broad global development package and the creation of specific funds for the reconstruction of damaged areas, economic reactivation, and the addressing of humanitarian needs.

Among other key points, the text includes the joint operation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by Ukraine, the United States, and Russia; Ukraine's commitment to remain a non-nuclear state; guaranteed access to the Dnieper River and the Black Sea for commercial purposes; and the implementation of educational programs aimed at cultural tolerance and the protection of minorities, in line with European Union standards.

The agreement also provides for the creation of a humanitarian committee to solve pending issues, such as the return of prisoners of war, detained children, and political prisoners. Ukraine would hold elections "as soon as possible" after the signing, and a total ceasefire would enter into force immediately.

The implementation and verification of the pact would be entrusted to a Peace Council chaired by Trump, with the participation of Ukraine, Russia, the United States, Europe, and NATO.

Although the Kremlin has not replied publicly, the White House keeps that the plan offers the most realistic path to end the war, halt a greater escalation, and open a stage of security, investment, and prosperity in Eastern Europe.