The progress of diplomacy is slow when it comes to the stubbornness of Russia. It’s been shown that it speeds up exponentially where there is a meaningful aim in sight and something can be gained from a continuation of the talks. It has to refer directly to something that has been stated before, even if it doesn’t fully realise it’s dream.
In terms of the land that Russia wants to have in its own possession, Ukraine stands at a crossroads in its own decision-making. Its best option is to evacuate such areas and to maintain that nothing more than a small contingent should continue to live there. It gives Russia ground but deprives it of a further reach to limit closeness to Ukraine.
The evacuation of people is not a popular option, but it could be satisfied in either direction. A non-contingency zone like this could be a solution to a battle between two powers, one that has moral argument and another that has sufficient strength to resist more.
It may give Russians pride in saying that named places are ‘back’ in its own possession. However, it recognises that its own expansionism is an unpopular policy. It cannot take more to gain more in the long-term, and Ukraine has to be guaranteed its own internal security.