US,Ukraine Reach Consensus on Key Items12/24 06:16

   The United States and Ukraine have reached a consensus on several critical 
issues aimed at bringing an end to the nearly four-year conflict, but sensitive 
issues around territorial control in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, 
along with the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, remain 
unresolved, Ukraine's president said.

   KYIV, Ukraine (AP) -- The United States and Ukraine have reached a consensus 
on several critical issues aimed at bringing an end to the nearly four-year 
conflict, but sensitive issues around territorial control in Ukraine's eastern 
industrial heartland, along with the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear 
power plant, remain unresolved, Ukraine's president said.

   Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed journalists on each point of the plan on 
Tuesday. His comments were embargoed until Wednesday morning. The draft 
proposal, which reflects Ukraine's wishes, intertwines political and commercial 
interests to safeguard security while boosting economic potential.

   Asked about the plan, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow 
would set out its position based on information received by Russian 
presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who met with U.S. envoys in Florida over 
the weekend.

   Peskov declined to share further details, saying that Moscow believed it was 
"highly inappropriate to conduct any kind of communication via the media."

   At the heart of the negotiations lies the contentious territorial dispute 
concerning the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, known as the Donbas. This is "the 
most difficult point," Zelenskyy said. He said these matters will be discussed 
at the leaders level.

   Russia continues to assert maximalist demands, insisting that Ukraine 
relinquish the remaining territory in Donbas that it has not captured -- an 
ultimatum that Ukraine has rejected. Russia has captured most of Luhansk and 
about 70% of Donetsk.

   In a bid to facilitate compromise, the United States has proposed 
transforming these areas into free economic zones. Ukraine insists that any 
arrangement must be contingent upon a referendum, allowing the Ukrainian people 
to determine their own fate. Ukraine is demanding the demilitarization of the 
area and the presence of an international force to ensure stability, Zelenskyy 
said.

   How the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest plant in Europe which 
is under Russian occupation, will be managed is another contentious issue. The 
U.S. is proposing a consortium with Ukraine and Russia, with each party having 
an equal stake in the enterprise.

   But Zelenskyy countered with a joint venture proposal between the U.S. and 
Ukraine, in which the Americans are able to decide how to distribute their 
share, presuming it would go to Russia.

   "We did not reach a consensus with the American side on the territory of the 
Donetsk region and on the ZNPP," Zelenskyy said, referring to the power plant 
in Zaporizhzhia. "But we have significantly brought most of the positions 
closer together. In principle, all other consensus in this agreement has been 
found between us and them."

   A free economic zone compromise

   Point 14, which covers territories that cut across the eastern front line, 
and Point 12, which discusses management of the Zaporizhzhia plant, will likely 
be major sticking points in the talks.

   Zelenskyy said: "We are in a situation where the Russians want us to leave 
the Donetsk region, and the Americans are trying to find a way so that it is 
'not a way out' -- because we are against leaving -- they want to find a 
demilitarized zone or a free economic zone in this, that is, a format that can 
provide for the views of both sides."

   The draft states that the contact line, which cuts across five Ukrainian 
regions, be frozen once the agreement is signed.

   Ukraine's stance is that any attempt to create a free economic zone must be 
ratified by a referendum, affirming that the Ukrainian people ultimately hold 
the decision-making power, Zelenskyy said. This process will require 60 days, 
he added, during which time hostilities should stop to allow the process to 
happen.

   More difficult discussions would require hammering out how far troops would 
be required to move back, per Ukraine's proposal, and where international 
forces would be stationed. Zelenskyy said ultimately "people can choose: this 
ending suits us or not," he said.

   The draft also proposes that Russian forces withdraw from Dnipropetrovsk, 
Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv regions, and that international forces be located along 
the contact line to monitor the implementation of the agreement.

   "Since there is no faith in the Russians, and they have repeatedly broken 
their promises, today's contact line is turning into a line of a de facto free 
economic zone, and international forces should be there to guarantee that no 
one will enter there under any guise -- neither 'little green men' nor Russian 
military disguised as civilians," Zelenskyy said.

   Managing Zaporizhzhia power plant

   Ukraine is also proposing that the occupied city of Enerhodar, which is 
connected to the Zaporizhzhia power plant, be a demilitarized free economic 
zone, Zelenskyy said. This point required 15 hours of discussions with the 
U.S., he said.

   For now, the U.S. proposes that the plant be jointly operated by Ukraine, 
the U.S. and Russia, with each side receiving dividends from the enterprise.

   "The USA is offering 33% for 33%f or 33%, and the Americans are the main 
manager of this joint venture," he said. "It is clear that for Ukraine this 
sounds very unsuccessful and not entirely realistic. How can you have joint 
commerce with the Russians after everything?"

   Ukraine offered an alternative proposal, that the plant be operated by a 
joint venture with the U.S. in which the Americans can determine independently 
how to distribute their 50% share.

   Zelenskyy said billions in investments are needed to make the plant run 
again, including restoring the adjacent dam.

   "There were about 15 hours of conversations about the plant. These are all 
very complex things."

   A separate annex for security guarantees

   The document ensures that Ukraine will be provided with "strong" security 
guarantees that mirror NATO's Article 5, which would obligate Ukraine's 
partners to act in the event of renewed Russian aggression.

   Zelenskyy said that a separate bilateral document with the U.S. will outline 
these guarantees. This agreement will detail the conditions under which 
security will be provided, particularly in the event of a renewed Russian 
assault, and will establish a mechanism to monitor the ceasefire.

   This mechanism will utilize satellite technology and early warning systems 
to ensure effective oversight and rapid response capabilities.

   "The mood of the United States of America is that this is an unprecedented 
step towards Ukraine on their part. They believe that they are giving strong 
security guarantees," he said.

   The draft contains other elements including keeping Ukraine's army at 
800,000 during peace time, and by nailing down a specific date for ascension to 
the European Union.

   Elections and boosting the economy

   The document proposes accelerating a free trade agreement between Ukraine 
and the U.S. once the agreement is signed. The U.S. wants the same deal with 
Russia, said Zelenskyy.

   Ukraine would like to receive short-term privileged access to the European 
market and a robust global development package, that will cover a wide-range of 
economic interests, including a development fund to invest in industries 
including technology, data centers and artificial intelligence, as well as gas.

   Also included are funds for the reconstruction of territories destroyed in 
the war.

   "Ukraine will have the opportunity to determine the priorities for 
distributing its share of funds in the territories under the control of 
Ukraine. And this is a very important point, on which we spent a lot of time," 
Zelenskyy said.

   The goal will be to attract $800 billion through equity, grants, loans and 
private sector contributions.

   The draft proposal also requires Ukraine to hold elections after the signing 
of the agreement. "This is the partners' vision," Zelenskyy said.

   Ukraine is also asking that all prisoners since 2014 be released at once, 
and that civilian detainees, political prisoners and children be returned to 
Ukraine.