Brief announcement by the Kremlin, after Zelenski presented the peace plan in Ukraine proposed to Russia
The Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin. PHOTO: Arina Antonova / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Moscow announced on Wednesday, according to Reuters, that it is preparing a response to the proposals developed by the US and Ukraine to end the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed by special envoy Kirill Dmitriev on his visit to the United States, and Moscow will now formulate its position on US proposals for a possible peace deal in Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Russia's reaction to the proposals or the exact format of the documents, saying the Kremlin would not communicate through the media about such matters.
LAST TIME. Zelenski revealed the peace agreement negotiated with the US and proposed to Russia. What do the 20 points of the document that can end the war in Ukraine provide
The Kremlin's reaction comes after the negotiations that the US held with Ukraine in Miami, to draft a peace agreement in Ukraine. Dmitriev was also in Miami, where he met with American officials, before returning to Moscow.
On Wednesday, Volodymyr Zelensky revealed the peace agreement negotiated with the US and proposed to Russia.
The original 28-point plan, which basically pushed Ukraine toward capitulation, was revised into a 20-point framework.
A major concession by Kiev
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to withdraw his troops from areas of eastern Donetsk region still under Kiev's control and turn those territories into a demilitarized zone as part of a possible peace deal with Moscow.
It is the most important concession on territorial disputes, which have repeatedly stalled peace negotiations.
But the proposal also exposed the significant issues that remain between Ukraine and Russia.
Zelenski's offer of a demilitarized zone came with one condition: Russia would have to withdraw its forces from an equivalent zone in Donetsk. So far, the Kremlin has shown no sign that it is willing to accept anything other than full control of the region.
The ball is in Moscow's court
So far, Russia has appeared rather reticent about the outcome of the negotiations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on Tuesday that he did not know what US Vice President JD Vance meant when he spoke of “progress” in the Ukraine negotiations.
A few days earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin's top foreign policy adviser said he was convinced that the chances of peace in Ukraine had not been improved by changes to the US proposals by the Europeans and Ukraine, according to Interfax and Reuters.
“It's not a forecast,” Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told the media.
“I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and the Ukrainians have made or are trying to make certainly do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace,” he said.
What if Russia accepts the proposals?
If approved, the final document must be signed by the leaders of Ukraine, the US, Europe and Russia. Those who will sign an eventual agreement from the European side have not yet been designated.
The ceasefire should start immediately after the signing of the agreement.
For the agreement to enter into force, it must be ratified by the Ukrainian parliament and/or supported by the Ukrainian people in a referendum that could take place within 60 days.
