From the Washington Post

Demilitarised zone and Ukraine in the EU in 2027: here is the peace plan

So-called 'territory swaps' are an inescapable part of the agreement, but the lines are the subject of tough negotiations

I soldati ucraini lanciano razzi contro le truppe russe vicino alla linea del fronte a Pokrovsk, nella regione del Donetsk REUTERS/Stringer

3' min read

Translated by AI
Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI
Versione italiana

A demilitarised zone along the entire front line and a deeper area interdicted to heavy artillery. Ukraine could join the EU by 2027, with 'Article 5-like' security guarantees from the US. These and other details of the negotiation package signed by the US are emerging, and the Washington Post today describes a rather nuanced overall picture. But the border compromise remains the main obstacle, notes the US newspaper, which has heard American, Ukrainian and European sources.

Despite the Trump administration's pressure tactics and 'its incomprehensible sympathy for the Russian aggressor', highlights the Post, a peace deal for Ukraine seems to be getting closer. At least the officials involved in the negotiations seem convinced of this. Negotiations on which President Donald Trump's pressure is weighing heavily: if he continues to press Volodymyr Zelensky and his European allies excessively, is the reading, they could be pushed to refuse and continue fighting despite the very high costs.

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The negotiating framework, coordinated by the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, consists of three documents: an actual peace plan, an agreement on security guarantees and a plan for economic recovery.

Here are the key points as they emerge from the Washington Post's analysis and sources.

FAST EUROPEAN INTEGRATION Ukraine could join the European Union as early as 2027. The Trump administration believes it can overcome Hungary's opposition. Accession is seen not only as an economic driver, but as a means to fight endemic corruption and to sanction the victory of Ukraine's European project.

NATO-style' SECURITY GUARANTEES The US would provide security guarantees 'similar to Article 5' to protect Ukraine from future Russian violations. A working group is defining rapid response mechanisms. US intelligence support would remain crucial.

UKRAINIAN ARMY Ukrainian sovereignty would be protected from any Russian vetoes, but there are negotiations on limits to the armed forces. The initial US proposal of a 600,000-strong army could rise to 800,000.

SMILITARISED ZONE Central element of the plan is the creation of a demilitarised zone along the entire ceasefire line, from the Donetsk oblast to Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Behind this demilitarised zone, a deeper area would be established in which the deployment of heavy artillery would be prohibited. This border control system, inspired by the Korean model, would be closely monitored.

THE KNOT: THE TERRITORIAL ASSET The so-called 'territory swaps' are an inescapable part of the agreement, but the lines are the subject of tough negotiations. Russia demands that Ukraine cede the remaining 25% of the Donetsk oblast it still controls. US negotiators argue that Kiev would probably lose it on the ground in the next six months anyway. To make the pill less bitter for Zelensky - who insists he has 'no legal right' to cede territory - the Korean formula is being explored: a de facto demarcation without relinquishing de jure sovereignty claims.

OTHER KEY POINTS The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant would return under Ukrainian control, with the assumption of American technical management as a 'tripwire' - a 'tripwire' - against new aggression.

For reconstruction, there are plans to release part of the USD 200 billion of Russian assets frozen in Europe and to launch a USD 400 billion Development Fund for Ukraine, in cooperation with BlackRock and the World Bank.

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