Zelenskiy Announces 20-Point Peace Plan and Calls for 60-Day Ceasefire for Referendum

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has outlined a 20-point peace proposal aimed at ending Russia’s war and called for a 60-day ceasefire to facilitate a nationwide referendum on the plan. Speaking via a WhatsApp chat with reporters, Zelenskiy emphasized that the referendum would be essential to legitimize the proposed agreement in the eyes of the Ukrainian public. The 60-day ceasefire would allow sufficient time for the logistical and political preparations necessary to hold a nationwide vote.

The peace plan, which Zelenskiy says is 90% finalized, was developed in coordination with U.S. negotiators and represents a revised version of an earlier 28-point framework. While the new plan is more Kyiv-friendly, key unresolved issues remain, including the status of the Donbas region and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. These are considered critical sticking points in the ongoing negotiations between Kyiv and Washington.

Zelenskiy plans to discuss the proposal during a scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The meeting, set for Sunday, follows months of diplomatic efforts to bring the two sides closer. Zelenskiy has expressed optimism that significant progress could be made before the New Year. However, he also acknowledged that any peace deal will require approval from Ukraine’s European allies and the Russian government.

The 20-point plan includes a reaffirmation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, the establishment of a non-aggression pact between Ukraine and Russia, and the creation of a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance. Ukraine will maintain its military strength of 800,000 personnel, and security guarantees mirroring NATO’s Article 5 will be extended by the U.S. and European allies. The plan also proposes Ukraine’s eventual EU membership and a global development package worth $800 billion to support reconstruction and economic recovery.

Despite these efforts, skepticism persists both domestically and internationally. A recent poll suggests that a significant portion of the Ukrainian public may reject the plan. In Kyiv, residents have expressed a mixture of hope and doubt, with many feeling that their side holds little leverage in the negotiations. Zelenskiy’s willingness to hold a referendum is seen as a major step toward accepting potential territorial concessions, a shift from earlier positions.

European leaders, including European Commission President , have reaffirmed their commitment to a “just and lasting peace” that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Zelenskiy has indicated he will continue discussions with European counterparts after the meeting with Trump.