Welcome to the NewsHour. Ukraine's president has floated a possible compromise to a key Russian demand that Kiev give up territory in eastern Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky's proposal could address one of the main sticking points that have bogged down U.S.-led negotiations.

This, as Ukraine marks its fourth consecutive Christmas under full-scale Russian invasion.

But Moscow has given no indication whether it might agree.

Nick Schifrin joins us now.

Nick, so what did Zelensky say today about this critical question about the eastern part of Donetsk?

So this was a briefing that Zelensky gave to journalists in Kiev, embargoed until today,

where he revealed the 20 points of the 20-point peace plan, and he talked about the fate of

the Donets.

That is the most contentious part.

Zelensky says the current proposal would be to demilitarize or create a free economic

zone in the portion of Donetsk that Ukraine still holds but is fighting over. You see,

that's the light gray area inside Donetsk on the map. Ukraine's military would have to withdraw

from that territory, which Russia has failed to capture through 11 years of war. The compromise

that Zelensky told journalists is, quote, we consider a free economic zone,

a potential option for a sovereign state to choose.

He has not used that language before.

The reason that its potential is the decision will be left to a national referendum.

Quote, only a referendum can determine whether people agree to such a path if the proposal for Ukraine is precisely this,

either this or war.

Zelensky's language is dramatic there because that's how he sees it, William.

Either Ukrainians agree to the entire peace plan, including converting land that they fought and

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