Zelensky Vows Ukrainian Unity, Hints at Demilitarized Zone as Peace Talks Advance
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Despite ongoing suffering, Ukraine remains unbroken in spirit and is actively pursuing a path to peace with the support of the United States, President Volodymyr Zelensky declared in a Christmas Eve address.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a powerful message of resilience and hope to his nation on the eve of Christmas, reaffirming the unwavering unity of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression. He also signaled a potential willingness to explore a demilitarized zone in the eastern Donbas region as part of ongoing peace negotiations, while simultaneously expressing a widely held sentiment regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a televised address, Zelensky acknowledged the immense hardship endured by Ukrainians, noting that “unfortunately, not all of us are home tonight, not all of us still have a home, and unfortunately, not all of us are with us tonight.” Despite these challenges, he asserted that Russia has failed to conquer what truly matters: “our Ukrainian heart, our mutual trust, and our unity.” He went on to state that, “despite all the suffering brought by Russia, it is not able to occupy or bomb what is most important.”
The President also alluded to a shared desire for the end of Putin’s leadership, stating, “Today we all share a dream. And we express a wish, for all of us. ‘That he dies,’ each of us might think to ourselves. But when we turn to God, we obviously ask for something bigger. We ask for peace for Ukraine.”
Ukraine is in constant communication with the United States and is optimistic about the progress being made toward a peace agreement, Zelensky confirmed. He anticipates receiving a response from Moscow today regarding the latest draft proposal, developed following weekend talks in Miami. “We will receive the Russian response after the American side has spoken with them,” he explained to reporters.
US-Ukraine Peace Plan Faces Hurdles
The proposed 20-point peace plan, jointly developed by the US and Ukraine, outlines a framework for ending the Russian invasion, including provisions for Ukrainian presidential elections to be held “as soon as possible” after the agreement is signed. However, significant disagreements remain, particularly concerning the status of occupied territories and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The US plan suggests a joint management structure for the Zaporizhzhia plant involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia – a proposal that Kyiv has deemed “inappropriate and not entirely realistic.” Despite these sticking points, Ukraine has expressed a willingness to engage in high-level discussions with the US to resolve the outstanding issues.
Notably, the plan does not require Ukraine to formally renounce its aspirations to join NATO, reaffirming that the decision rests with the Alliance. The proposal also calls for a freeze on the current front lines and the establishment of demilitarized zones, with the existing line of contact serving as the de facto deployment of troops.
Zelensky Signals Flexibility on Demilitarized Zone
In a potentially significant development, President Zelensky has indicated openness to the creation of a demilitarized zone in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. According to reports from the Financial Times and The New York Times, Zelensky is prepared to withdraw Ukrainian troops from areas under Kyiv’s control in Donetsk, transforming them into a free economic zone.
This offer is contingent upon a reciprocal withdrawal of Russian forces from an equivalent area of territory within the Donetsk region. “The areas from which our troops would withdraw would be under our administration because it would be a free economic area and there must be someone responsible,” Zelensky explained, framing the concept as a compromise between Moscow’s desire for territorial concessions and Ukraine’s refusal to cede its land.
Russia Sees Potential for Agreement
Despite ongoing conflict, there are signs of cautious optimism from Moscow. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Russia and the United States share “a significant similarity” in their views on a potential framework for resolving the Ukrainian crisis. “If we compare the situation before the arrival of the Trump administration to the White House with the current one, this is a significant step forward,” Ryabkov added.
However, he cautioned that this does not necessarily indicate an imminent signing of a comprehensive peace agreement.
As Ukraine marks its third Christmas celebration on December 25th, aligning with the Western world after abandoning the traditional Julian calendar, the nation’s focus remains steadfastly on securing a just and lasting peace. The coming days will be critical as Moscow considers the latest US-Ukraine peace proposal and the world watches to see if a path toward de-escalation can be forged.
