Russia, Ukraine Draw Plan To End War. Ceasefire, Kyiv Renouncing NATO Membership On Agenda

The 15-point draft deal also includes a ceasefire and Russian troop withdrawal if Kyiv renounces NATO membership ambitions and accepts limits on its armed forces.

New Delhi: Amid the rapidly growing international pressure, especially from the West, Russia has now agreed to draw up a tentative plan with Ukraine to end the war, if Kyiv declares neutrality and accepts limits on its armed forces.

The 15-point draft deal also includes a ceasefire and Russian troop withdrawal if Kyiv renounces NATO membership ambitions and accepts limits on its armed forces, Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

The proposed deal, which Ukrainian and Russian negotiators reportedly discussed in full for the first time during the recent round of talks, would involve Kyiv renouncing its ambitions to join NATO, FT reported quoting three people involved in the discussions. 

The deal also asks Ukraine to promise not to host foreign military bases or weaponry in exchange for protection from allies such as the US, UK, and Turkey.

The report lifts hope on potential breakthrough after three weeks of Russian offensive as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said negotiations were becoming "more realistic". 

Meanwhile, even the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said proposals now being discussed were "in my view close to an agreement".

A Reuters report stated that Kyiv is adamant on a complete ceasefire by Moscow, withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian borders and binding international security guarantees to protect Ukraine in the future.

Despite positive turnout during talks, Ukraine reportedly remains sceptical that Russian President Vladimir Putin is fully committed to peace and fear that it could be an attempt by Moscow to buy some time to get reinforcement and resume its offensive.

It has been almost three weeks into the invasion and Ukrainian forces have managed to halt Russian troops at the gates of Kyiv, causing them heavy damages. Additionally, Russia has failed to seize any of Ukraine's biggest cities in a war that many expected Moscow to win within days.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, told the Financial Times that any peace deal would involve "Russian troops, in any case, leaving the territory of Ukraine" captured since the invasion began on February 24.

In a virtual address to members of US Congress on Wednesday, Zelensky reiterated his call to enforce a no-fly zone and provide more help to Ukraine in order to fend off Russia’s attack. He also sought harsher economic sanctions on Moscow.

Jumping into the matter, even the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Russia to suspend its military offensive against Ukraine. By 13-2 votes, the Russian Federation will quickly suspend military activities that it started on February 24, the ICJ decision said.

Ukraine gained a complete victory in its case against Russia at the ICJ. The ICJ ordered Russia to immediately stop the invasion. The order is binding under international law. Russia must comply immediately. Ignoring the order will isolate Russia even further," Zelenskyy said reacting to ICJ decision.

(With inputs from agencies.)