Diplomatic Plans Ready for Presented to Moscow In the Coming Days, Says Ukraine's President
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that proposals for a peace deal negotiated with US officials are poised to be finalised in a matter of days. Afterward, American envoys will submit the terms to the Russian leadership.
Negotiations in Berlin Produce Significant Progress, With Critical Obstacles Persist
After two days of discussions in Berlin, American negotiators indicated on Monday that approximately “90%” of the disputed points between Moscow and Kyiv had been settled. Although the outlook appears positive, the path to ending the conflict remains uncertain, especially given the Russian lack of participation from the ongoing discussions.
Early Tuesday morning, Zelenskyy said that the American legislature is expected to consider security guarantees and that a finalised set of documents could be prepared “imminently.” Subsequently, the U.S. would hold consultations with Moscow, leading to summit-level talks possibly this weekend.
Security Guarantees and Allied Backing
“We are counting on five key agreements. Some of them pertain to binding security pledges: legally binding, that is, approved and approved by the US Congress,” the president commented to journalists. He stated that these assurances would “reflect the collective defense clause” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
On Monday, US officials declined to give precise information regarding the probable makeup of the security package or the consequences if Russia attempted to seize more land after a peace deal. Officials did confirm that the U.S. does not intend to place boots on the ground in Ukraine.
Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and eight other European nations issued a joint statement that forces belonging to a “allied coalition” could “help with the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting safer seas, including through conducting operations within its territory.”
They stopped short, however, of suggesting these measures would serve as guarantees equivalent to NATO's Article 5. Furthermore, there is scant indication that Moscow is near accepting the type of package under discussion between Washington and Kyiv.
Moscow's Stance and Land Issue
The following day, the Kremlin said it had not seen the details of the plans for security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, asserted that the country would not agree to troops from NATO member states being stationed in Ukraine “under any circumstances.”
The primary obstacle between the Ukrainian team and their American counterparts continues to be the territorial question. A key demand involves Kyiv relinquishing the parts of the Donbas it still holds, while Ukraine wants to maintain the current front lines. “Talks continue on the territorial issue. You know, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no agreement on it yet,” Zelenskyy said after the Berlin talks.
The US negotiation team, headed by two senior advisors, has proposed a compromise solution. This framework would see Ukraine withdraw, but Russia would not advance, with the demilitarised area becoming “an open economic area.” Russia has suggested it could use police and national guard formations rather than the army in such an area, suggesting it would still seek to maintain authority there.
“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ is not controlled by Russia. Neither de jure nor de facto do we accept the Donbas region – its currently occupied areas – as belonging to Russia. Categorically,” said Zelenskyy.
Path Forward and Possible Scenarios
It is not clear how Moscow and Kyiv will resolve the land question. Zelenskyy has previously suggested that a compromise solution such as a free economic zone might be conceivable if the Ukrainian people voted for it in a national vote. The critical stumbling block is expected to arise when the proposals are presented to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who has given no sign he is willing to compromise on his military objectives.
“If Putin rejects everything, we will end up with precisely the situation we are experiencing on our flight right now – instability,” said Zelenskyy, making the statement after his plane departed from Berlin.
“I believe the United States will increase sanction pressure and supply additional armaments if he rejects everything. I think, that would be a fair request from Ukraine to the Americans,” he added.
