KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to withdraw troops from Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, provided that Russia also pulls back its forces and the area is established as a demilitarized zone supervised by international forces. This proposal is part of a broader initiative aimed at concluding Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.

The idea represents a potential compromise regarding the management of the Donbas region, which has been a central issue in peace talks. Zelenskyy mentioned that the United States proposed creating a "free economic zone" in this context, although details regarding governance or the region's development remain unclear.

In a related discussion, Zelenskyy mentioned that a similar arrangement could apply to the area surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control. He indicated that any final peace plan must be ratified through a referendum.

Zelenskyy briefed reporters on Tuesday, unveiling a comprehensive 20-point plan developed through discussions between negotiators from Ukraine and the U.S. in Florida in recent days. He noted that while many aspects are still being deliberated, several foundational agreements have been established.

However, Russia has not signaled any willingness to withdraw from the regions it has occupied. Moscow has continuously demanded that Ukraine cede its remaining territories in the Donbas, an ultimatum that Ukraine has categorically rejected. Currently, Russian forces hold most of Luhansk and approximately 70% of Donetsk, the two regions constituting the Donbas.

Regarding the proposed plan, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow would base its response on information relayed by presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who met with U.S. representatives in Florida. He refrained from divulging additional details about Russia's position.

In a series of negotiations spurred by a plan introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump last month, American diplomats have been engaging separately with both Ukraine and Russia. This plan has been perceived as disproportionately favoring Moscow. Following this, Ukraine and its European allies have been working to align the proposal more closely with Kyiv's stance.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that resolving the governance of the Donbas region poses the most significant challenge in discussions. In the context of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the U.S. has suggested forming a consortium involving Ukraine and Russia, wherein each entity would hold an equal stake. However, Zelenskyy proposed that a joint venture be established between the U.S. and Ukraine, enabling the U.S. to decide on the distribution of their share, including allocations to Russia.

The demilitarization and establishment of an economic zone in the Donbas would necessitate challenging negotiations regarding troop withdrawals and the positioning of international monitors. Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of these discussions occurring at the leadership level.

The draft also includes provisions for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions, with international forces stationed along the contact line to oversee the ceasefire implementation. Additionally, Ukraine proposes that the city of Enerhodar, located close to the Zaporizhzhia power plant, be designated as a demilitarized economic zone.

Another stipulation requires strong security guarantees for Ukraine against any further Russian aggression, akin to NATO's Article 5, which asserts collective defense among member states. Zelenskyy indicated that a separate agreement with the U.S. will detail these guarantees and the stipulations for security provision, particularly in case of renewed hostilities.

The draft also encompasses the stipulation that Ukraine maintain an army of 800,000 during peacetime and outlines aspirations for Ukraine's EU membership by a specified date. Furthermore, it remains a critical point of Russian interest to ensure limitations on the size of Ukraine’s military forces.

Parallel to these discussions, Ukraine seeks to expedite a free-trade agreement with the U.S., while expressing expectations for similar arrangements with Russia. Ukraine aims for enhanced access to European markets, along with a comprehensive development package to stimulate foreign investment in its industries. Moreover, the framework outlines the goal of raising approximately $800 billion for reconstruction through various funding sources, including equity, grants, and private-sector contributions.

Lastly, the document obliges Ukraine to hold elections post-agreement signing, coinciding with Zelenskyy’s term ending in May 2024, which has been postponed due to the ongoing conflict. Ukraine is also advocating for the immediate release of all prisoners taken since 2014, encompassing civilian detainees, political prisoners, and children.

In other news, a recent explosion in Moscow resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including two police officers, following an earlier car bombing that killed a prominent general. Officials from Ukraine's military intelligence agency claimed involvement in the incident, though details remained sparse.