Russia, Ukraine draft 15-point plan to end conflict
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Russia and Ukraine's delegations prepare a peace plan that involves Ukraine abandoning NATO ambitions.
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Russian and Ukrainian officials meeting in Belarus, February 28, 2022
Russia and Ukraine's delegations have prepared a 15-point plan stipulating a ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops, while Ukraine would uphold its neutral status and downsize its armed forces according to a report published by the Financial Times.
The plan would also have Ukraine abandon its ambitions to join NATO, and that no foreign military bases and weaponry be stationed on Ukraine's territory. As for Ukraine's security guarantees, they would be given by the US, UK, and Turkey.
Ukraine will also refrain from joining any military alliance, relying on support from its allies to ensure its own security.
No official confirmation for this plan has come from either Russia or Ukraine. When asked about whether or not these reports were true, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it would be "premature to reveal any sets of agreements."
Head of Russia's delegation: Ukraine is ready to demilitarize
The head of Russia's delegation at the talks, Vladimir Medinsky reported Ukraine as saying it is ready to demilitarize, but that it wants to keep its own armed forces like Sweden or Austria.
"Preserving and developing Ukraine's neutral status, demilitarizing Ukraine, a whole range of issues concerning the size of the Ukrainian army are being discussed. Ukraine suggests the Austrian, Swedish version of a neutral demilitarized state, yet a state with its own armed forces and navy," Medinsky said.
He further added that the main task of the negotiating team is to determine which issues can be agreed upon and to put these common issues on the agenda, thus inching closer toward a result that suits both sides.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
