Updated Plan Unveiled After Florida Talks On 24 December 2025 President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a revised 20‑point peace framework following negotiations with U.S. envoys in Florida [1][2]. The document replaces the earlier 28‑point proposal, retains a security‑guarantee structure involving the United States, NATO and Europe, and caps Ukraine’s peacetime armed forces at 800,000 [1][2]. It deliberately omits any clause blocking future NATO membership while leaving territorial decisions to be settled by leaders [1][2].

Two Options for Donbas: Demilitarized or Economic Zone Zelensky outlined two pathways for the Donbas region: a fully demilitarized corridor or a “free economic zone” where Ukrainian forces withdraw in staged distances of 5, 10 or 40 km [1][2]. In the economic‑zone scenario, Ukraine would police the area, with international forces monitoring the contact line to deter Russian infiltration [1]. Russia would be required to withdraw from four Ukrainian oblasts—Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Kharkiv—and would not share policing of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which Kyiv intends to keep under its administration [1][2].

Territorial and Political Provisions Include EU Accession and Investment Fund The plan sets a concrete timetable for Ukraine’s EU accession and proposes a $200 billion investment fund to rebuild war‑torn regions [1]. Elections are slated to occur shortly after the agreement is signed, signaling a transition to peacetime governance [1]. While the framework emphasizes economic reconstruction, it leaves the status of the annexed territories to future leader‑level negotiations [1][2].

Current Battlefield Reality Shows Russian Advances Near Key Cities Despite diplomatic moves, Russian forces remain 40 km east of the fortified cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, and have captured the town of Siversk [1]. These developments underscore the ongoing military pressure that any peace deal must address [1]. The juxtaposition of front‑line gains with diplomatic overtures highlights the fragile balance between negotiation and conflict [1].

Negotiations Still Face Gaps Over Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia Zelensky acknowledged that U.S. and Ukrainian positions align on most issues, yet consensus on Donetsk’s status and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remains unresolved [2]. He expects a Russian response later in the week, while a Trump‑appointed envoy described the Florida talks as “productive” [2]. Russia continues to claim annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and has warned it could seize additional territories by force [2].