3rd times the charm
Based on a consultation of the trilateral contact group on joint steps aimed at implementation of a ceasefire plan for president zelensky and president of russia v. putin.
Based on the results of considerations and discussion of the proposals made by the participants of the consultations in minsk, the trilateral contact group, composed of representatives of ukraine , the russian federation, and the organization for security and cooperation in europe, reached an understanding of the following steps regarding the need to implement a cease fire agreement.
1. Full ceasefire in the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts
2. Pull-out of all heavy weapons by both sides to equal distance with the aim of creation of a security zone on minimum 50 kilometres (31 mi) apart for artillery of 100mm calibre or more, and a security zone of 70 kilometres (43 mi) for multiple rocket launchers (MRLS) and 140 kilometres (87 mi) for MLRS HIMARS, Tornado-S, Uragan, Smerch, and Tochka U tactical missile systems:
◦ for Ukrainian troops, from actual line of contact;
◦ for armed formations of particular districts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts of Ukraine.
The pullout of the above-mentioned heavy weapons must start no later than the second day after the start of the ceasefire and finish within 14 days.
This process will be assisted by OSCE with the support of the Trilateral Contact Group.
3. Effective monitoring and verification of ceasefire regime and pullout of heavy weapons by OSCE will be provided from the first day of pullout, using all necessary technical means such as satellites, drones, radio-location systems etc.
4. On the first day after the pullout a dialogue is to start on modalities of conducting local elections in accordance with the Ukrainian legislation and the Law of Ukraine “On temporary Order of Local Self-Governance in Particular Districts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson,” and also about the future of these districts based on the above-mentioned law.
Without delays, but no later than 30 days from the date of signing of this document, a resolution has to be approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, indicating the territory which falls under the special regime in accordance with the law “On temporary Order of Local Self-Governance in Particular Districts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Oblasts,”
5. Provide release and exchange of all hostages and illegally held persons, based on the principle of “all for all”. This process has to end – at the latest – on the fifth day after the pullout (of weapons).
6. Provide safe access, delivery, storage and distribution of humanitarian aid to the needy, based on an international mechanism.
7. Define the modalities of a full restoration of social and economic connections, including social transfers, such as payments of pensions and other payments (income and revenue, timely payment of communal bills, restoration of tax payments within the framework of Ukrainian legal field).
With this aim, Ukraine will restore management over the segment of its banking system in the districts affected by the conflict, and possibly, an international mechanism will be established to ease such transactions.
8. Restore control of the state border to the Ukrainian government in the whole conflict zone, bordering the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, forming an autonomous zone which is locally governed and policed and able to make requests to both Ukraine and Russia for policing capacity, in consultations and in agreement with representatives of particular districts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts within the framework of the Trilateral Contact Group. This autonomous zone would be internationally recognized as being administered by Ukraine.
9. Pullout of all foreign armed formations, military equipment from the territory of Ukraine under OSCE supervision. Disarmament of all illegal groups. And an agreement to not use artillery in populated urban areas or in the vicinity of nuclear energy facilities. Security of the Zaporizhzhia power plant itself, will remain the responsibility of the Ukrainian govt and will be carried out bu Ukrainian forces. Russian forces will need to create a 12km buffer zone around nuclear energy facilities..
10. Based on the Law of Ukraine “On temporary Order of Local Self-Governance in Particular Districts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts”, questions related to local elections will be discussed and agreed upon with representatives of particular districts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts in the framework of the Trilateral Contact Group. Elections will be held in accordance with relevant OSCE standards and monitored by OSCE/ODIHR.
11. Intensify the work of the Trilateral Contact Group including through the establishment of working groups on the implementation of relevant aspects of the Minsk agreements. They will reflect the composition of the Trilateral Contact Group.
12. After 3 contiguous months without ceasefire violations by the russian side, The reintegration of russian banks into the SWIFT payment system.
after 6 contiguous months without ceasefire violations by the russian side they will reconvene the OSCE to reach an agreement with their counterparts at the EU on a schedule for the phased removal of sanctions on Russian entities enacted after 2014.
12 months after the next elections in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts the OSCE can reconvene on the status of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts as an autonomous zone or reintegrating the areas back into Ukraine after reforms are completed.
Hopefully this will deescalate the conflict between Russia and NATO countries as well as become the starting point for the redevelopment of Ukraine.
