US Proposes 'Free Economic Zone' in Donbas Amid Ukraine's Concerns Over Governance and Russian Demands
The US proposes a 'free economic zone' in eastern Donbas after Ukrainian withdrawal, a plan met with Ukrainian President Zelensky's concerns regarding governance and Russia's broader territorial demands.
Overview
- The United States is proposing a 'free economic zone' in parts of the eastern Donbas region, contingent on Ukraine's withdrawal under a negotiated peace with Russia.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed concerns about the governance of this proposed zone and Russia's demands for control over the entire Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia plant.
- U.S. negotiators suggest Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donetsk region without Russian forces entering, presenting this as a compromise in ongoing peace talks.
- Zelensky stated that any agreement to the US plan would necessitate elections or a referendum in Ukraine to ratify the decision.
- The proposal aims to facilitate a negotiated peace with Russia, addressing territorial disputes in the Donbas region through economic and strategic concessions.
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FAQ
The US proposes creating a 'free economic zone' in parts of eastern Donbas where Ukraine would withdraw its forces under a peace agreement, with the intended compromise that Russian troops would not enter the area, although details on governance remain unclear.
Zelensky is concerned about the governance of the proposed zone, the lack of clarity on who would control the territory, Russia’s broader demands for the entire Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia plant, and the fairness of the withdrawal process, emphasizing that any such agreement requires approval by Ukrainian people through elections or referendum.
Russia demands control over the entire Donbas region, including areas not currently under Russian control, as well as the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which Ukraine does not accept.
Ukraine insists on maintaining control up to the current contact line and rejects Russian demands for the whole of Donbas. Zelensky has stated that territorial decisions must ultimately be made by Ukrainians through democratic means such as elections or a referendum.
Zelensky questions the fairness of proposals where only Ukrainian forces withdraw while Russian forces do not reciprocate an equal withdrawal, highlighting uncertainties about who would control the free economic zone and the terms of demilitarization.
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