Zelenskyy: U.S proposes demilitarized zones in Donbas, Kinburn Spit

U.S. officials have suggested establishing demilitarized zones in Donbas and on the Kinburn Spit during ongoing peace negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy informed reporters on October 28 that the U.S. had proposed various solutions to resolve the territorial dispute, starting with a 28-point peace plan.

One of the ideas included creating buffer zones or demilitarized zones on both sides of the line of contact. The discussion also encompassed the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and potential land swaps. Another proposal involved demilitarizing part of the Kinburn Spit, which could remain under Ukrainian control. Despite these discussions, Zelenskyy stated that no further progress had been made on the territorial issue.

He emphasized that Russia continually wants to discuss these matters and bring them to the forefront, but resolving the issue requires actual meetings at the appropriate level. The Kinburn Spit was occupied by Russian forces in March 2022, and Ukrainian troops raised the Ukrainian flag on the spit in June 2026. However, Russian forces reportedly withdrew from some positions in the area, but liberation is still uncertain.

Zelenskyy previously estimated that Russia occupies less than 20% of Ukrainian territory and expressed willingness to accept a peace agreement freezing hostilities along the current front line. Nonetheless, Kyiv would never acknowledge the occupied territories as Russian. Zelenskyy has also repeatedly pointed out that Russia's demands extend far beyond Donbas, as the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin aims for Ukraine's complete capitulation.