A new plan to put an end to the war is on the table - Now Putin and Zelenski are on the move

Vladimir Zelenski and Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Zelenski and Vladimir Putin / Photo: EPA-EFE / TATYANA ZENKOVICH / YURI KOCHETKOV

In a sea of ​​mediators between Ukraine and Russia, Italian authorities have now stepped up and drawn up a peace plan to end the 91-day war on Ukrainian territory. The diplomats of these two countries confirmed that a plan has arrived from Italy that will be considered in the coming days. The proposed agreement has four points that will be revised by the leaders of the European Union.

The four-point plan was written last week, but the public was informed about it yesterday. Most Italian diplomats from the beginning of the war worked on the peace agreement, which was kept secret due to the delicate geopolitical situation. When the draft agreement was officially sent to Kyiv and Moscow, as well as to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Italian authorities said it was time for the world to find out the details of a plan that could end the three-month war in Ukraine.

Mario Dragi / Photo EPA-EFE / Gregorio Borgia / AP POOL

What the draft says

The press service of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the peace agreement was sent to the warring parties in Ukraine and Russia.

"We are working with partners and allies, including Ukraine, on a peace agreement," the Italian foreign ministry said in a statement, but diplomats declined to comment further.

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, also did not respond to media requests for comment, but his spokesman confirmed that the draft agreement had also arrived in Geneva.

The only senior official to comment on the peace deal is Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Mayo, who also revealed his country's plans for the coming period, as well as key points in the agreement.

"The agreement provides for a local ceasefire, in order to organize the evacuation of civilians and create the conditions for a comprehensive ceasefire, which will lead to long-term peace," Di Mayo explained.

The four points in the agreement were approved by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, after which the document was sent to the EU, Ukraine and Russia for consideration.

The first step outlined in the peace agreement is an immediate ceasefire and the demilitarization of the front lines.

The second point stipulates that Ukraine should be a neutral country, whose security will be guaranteed by a group of countries, mainly world powers, which have not yet made a final decision on security guarantees. According to Italian authorities, this part of the plan will be discussed at a peace conference hosted by Italy.

The third point is the bilateral agreement between Russia and Ukraine, which aims to clarify the future of the Crimean peninsula and the Donbas region. The agreement will deal with cultural and linguistic rights and guarantee the free movement of people, goods and capital. This version of the plan indicates that Crimea and Donbas will have almost full autonomy, including defense, but will be part of Ukraine.

The fourth point would be a multilateral peace agreement between the European Union and Russia, which would include the gradual withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and the lifting of Western sanctions on Moscow.

Lavrov Kuleba - Antalya meeting. EPA-EFE / TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NO SALES

Russia: We are considering the proposal

While the Ukrainian side has so far refused to comment on the peace plan, confirmation has arrived from Moscow that it has been presented to the Kremlin.

"We have received a draft plan and are considering it," said Andrei Rudenko, Russia's deputy foreign minister.

As he pointed out, negotiations with Italy have not started yet, and Russia will announce its official position after a long consideration of the plan.

Sergey Lavrov - Dmitry Kuleba / Photo: EPA / Collage: SP.

Diplomacy is on the move

Judging by the only meeting between the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia - Dmitry Kuleba and Sergei Lavrov, the diplomats of these two countries are facing a difficult period.

Known as a "tough" negotiator and nicknamed "Mr. Jet", Lavrov had previously said that Russia would not order a ceasefire unless Ukraine agreed to demilitarization and withdrew from NATO membership.

The Italian agreement offers just that, provided the world powers have to provide security guarantees for Ukraine. The first point will meet the two biggest demands of both Ukraine (ceasefire) and Russia (demilitarization).

A bilateral agreement resolving the status of Crimea and Donbass could be acceptable to both countries, given that Ukraine will retain its territory and Russia the autonomy of breakaway regions.

Finally, the fourth point applies strictly to Russia, which will finally welcome the lifting of all sanctions.

It seems that several months of thinking by Italian diplomats are bearing fruit, given that almost all key demands of Russia and Ukraine have been met, as well as Ukraine's future in Europe.

The only stumbling block could be stubbornness, as it is certain that Russia will wait for Ukraine to respond first, to present its views on the peace agreement.

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