US, Europe drafting four-point plan to settle Ukraine conflict — newspaper

WASHINGTON, October 13. /TASS/. The United States and Europe are working on a four-point proposal to settle the Ukraine conflict, The Washington Post columnist David Ignatius reported, citing sources.

According to the sources, Washington and Brussels are moving toward a joint peace proposal that would deliver financial and security benefits to both Ukraine and Russia as a baseline for a territorial settlement. A US official said the package would have four basic components, including a proposal for Russia to reach an economic and security deal with Europe that would restore stability to the region.

"Ukraine’s reconstruction would be the first pillar," Ignatius said, adding that the negotiators had asked Kiev for detailed cost estimates.

Security guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia would constitute the second essential component. However, it remains unclear what security arrangements are expected to be offered to Moscow.

"A third pillar would be economic integration of Russia, Ukraine and Europe through an energy deal. One aspect might be a pipeline carrying Russian oil and gas to Europe, with Ukraine and Russia splitting the profits," the columnist noted. The proposal would also provide Russia with long-term access to the European energy market and specify when economic sanctions would be removed.

The fourth and final piece of the deal would be a ceasefire along the existing front line.

According to The Washington Post, "the diplomatic push" for the plan came at a recent meeting in Florida involving US, European and Ukrainian negotiators.