🔗 Share this article

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that proposals for a peace deal developed with American diplomats could be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, American envoys will submit the terms to the Russian leadership.

Berlin Talks Yield Significant Progress, But Key Hurdles Remain

Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators reported on Monday that around “90%” of the disputed points between Moscow and Kyiv had been settled. Although the outlook appears positive, an actual conclusion to the war remains uncertain, especially given Russia's absence from the ongoing discussions.

In the early hours of Tuesday, the Ukrainian president said that the US Congress is expected to vote on security guarantees and that a finalised set of agreements could be prepared “today or tomorrow.” Subsequently, the U.S. would hold consultations with Russian representatives, potentially followed by high-level meetings possibly this weekend.

Security Guarantees and International Support

“The plan involves five key agreements. Some of them concern security guarantees: formally ratified, that is, voted on and endorsed by the United States Congress,” the president commented to journalists. He stated that these assurances would “mirror the collective defense clause” of the Nato alliance.

Earlier, US officials declined to give precise information regarding the likely contents of the defense package or what would happen if Russia attempted to seize more land following an agreement. Officials did confirm that the U.S. has no plans to place boots on the ground in Ukraine.

Heads of state from the UK, France, Germany and eight other European nations issued a joint statement that forces belonging to a “allied coalition” could “assist in the rebuilding of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukrainian airspace, and in supporting maritime security, potentially by operating inside its territory.”

They stopped short, however, of proposing these measures would serve as assurances matching Nato’s article 5. Furthermore, there is scant indication that Russia is near agreeing to the kind of arrangement under discussion between the U.S. and Ukraine.

Kremlin Response and Territorial Dispute

The following day, the Russian government said it had not received the details of the proposals on security guarantees. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, declared that the country would not agree to forces of Nato countries operating in Ukrainian territory “no matter what.”

The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and their American counterparts continues to be the issue of land. A key demand centers on Ukraine relinquishing the areas of the Donbas it still holds, while the Ukrainian side wants to freeze the lines. “We are discussing the territorial issue. You know, it is a central problem. Currently, there is no agreement on it yet,” the president said following the Berlin discussions.

American mediators, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has suggested a compromise solution. This framework would see Ukrainian forces pull back, but Russian troops would not move forward, with the demilitarised area becoming “a free economic zone.” Russia has suggested it could use police and national guard units instead of the military in such an area, suggesting it would still seek to maintain authority there.

“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ does not mean under the control of Moscow. Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognise Donbas – its currently occupied areas – as Russian. Absolutely,” said President Zelenskyy.

Next Steps and Potential Outcomes

It is not clear how the two sides will resolve the land question. Zelenskyy has previously suggested that a compromise solution such as a free economic zone might be theoretically possible if the Ukrainian people voted for it in a referendum. The major impediment is expected to arise when the proposals are put to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who has shown no indication he is prepared to concede on his military objectives.

“Should Russia refuse all proposals, we will end up with exactly what we are encountering on our plane right now – instability,” said Zelenskyy, recording the comments after his plane departed from Berlin.

“I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and supply additional armaments if he rejects everything. In my view, that would be a fair request from Ukraine to the United States,” he concluded.