Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented all 20 points of the peace plan that emerged from negotiations involving the US, Russia, and EU representatives. The main focus was on the contents of the plan, which will have a significant impact on the war's course and peace prospects for Ukraine.
According to Vitaliy Portnikov, the document is key for Ukrainian society. Many perceive it as a Ukrainian plan, but in reality, it originated from the Russian side aiming to prevent new sanctions and halt the allocation of Ukraine's aid from Russian frozen assets.
The expert provides detailed analysis of each major point. The first and eleventh—confirmation of Ukraine's sovereignty and non-nuclear status—are mostly formal and have little practical value. The second point—a non-aggression agreement and contact line monitoring—effectively freezes the conflict and formalizes the refusal to liberate occupied territories by force.
The third and fifth points offer security guarantees to Ukraine from the US, NATO, and Europe, but these are largely symbolic, as countries avoid direct engagement in the war. Without robust guarantees, investments for the country's recovery are unlikely.
Other issues include the size and funding of the Armed Forces, Western roles in peacetime support, education, language, religion, territorial concessions, economic aid prospects, and the role of international observers—all explored by Portnikov.
He notes that the ratification process and possible referenda on certain points could delay or even void the agreement, given potential internal resistance and debate within society.
Portnikov stresses that the plan is not about peace, but creating diplomatic pressure on Russia and preserving Ukraine’s backing from the US and Europe. Peace remains a formality, while war continues to shape Ukraine’s future.
