Zelensky open to withdrawing troops in new peace draft, awaits Russian reply

Washington Post: It is the first time Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky has inched toward any compromise on the issue of territory in the eastern Donbas region, which Russia claims…

CNN: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled new willingness to make concessions on several key negotiating points that have threatened to stall a nascent peace process with Moscow, effectively putting the ball in Russia’s court…

New York Times: But the proposal also hinted at the significant gaps that remain between Ukraine and Russia. Mr. Zelensky’s offer of a demilitarized zone came with a condition: Russia would have to pull its forces from an equivalent stretch of land in Donetsk. So far, the Kremlin has given no indication that it is willing to accept anything less than full control over the region…

BBC: Describing the plan as “the main framework for ending the war”, he said it proposed security guarantees from the US, Nato and Europeans for a co-ordinated military response if Russia invaded Ukraine again…

Politico: The plan additionally proposes Russia legally adopt a strategy of non-aggression towards Ukraine and Europe. The text also accepts Kyiv’s eventual accession to the European Union, acknowledges the country’s right to demand reparations from Russia, and endorses the creation of dedicated investment instruments to fund the country’s reconstruction…