🔗 Share this article

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that proposals for a peace deal negotiated with US officials are poised to be finalised in a matter of days. Following this, U.S. representatives are expected to present the terms to the Russian leadership.

Negotiations in Berlin Produce Major Headway, But Key Hurdles Remain

After two days of discussions in Berlin, US officials indicated on Monday that approximately “90%” of the disputed points between Moscow and Kyiv had been resolved. Despite this optimistic assessment, the path to ending the war remains uncertain, especially given the Russian absence from the current dialogue.

In the early hours of Tuesday, the Ukrainian president noted that the US Congress is expected to consider security guarantees and that a complete package of agreements might be ready “today or tomorrow.” He added that, the United States would hold consultations with Russian representatives, potentially followed by summit-level talks possibly this coming weekend.

Security Guarantees and International Support

“The plan involves five documents. Several pertain to security guarantees: legally binding, that is, approved and approved by the United States Congress,” the president commented to journalists. He stated that these assurances would “mirror article 5” of the Nato alliance.

On Monday, US officials declined to give specific details regarding the probable makeup of the defense package or the consequences if Moscow sought to capture more land following an agreement. They did, however, confirm that the United States does not intend to deploy troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Heads of state from the UK, France, Germany and eight other European countries issued a joint statement that troops from a “coalition of the willing” could “assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in ensuring safer seas, potentially by operating inside its territory.”

However, they did not suggesting these measures would serve as assurances matching Nato’s article 5. In any case, there is scant indication that Moscow is near accepting the type of package being negotiated between Washington and Kyiv.

Moscow's Stance and Land Issue

The following day, the Kremlin stated it had not seen the details of the plans for security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, declared that Russia would not agree to forces of Nato countries operating in Ukraine “no matter what.”

The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and US negotiators remains the territorial question. A key demand centers on Ukraine relinquishing the parts of the Donbas it still holds, while the Ukrainian side wants to freeze the lines. “Talks continue on the land dispute. As is known, it is one of the key issues. At this point, there is no agreement on it yet,” the president remarked after the Berlin talks.

American mediators, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has proposed a middle-ground proposal. This framework would see Ukrainian forces pull back, but Russia would not move forward, with the demilitarised area established as “an open economic area.” Moscow has indicated it could use internal security formations rather than the military in such an area, suggesting it would still seek to control the territory.

“I want to stress once again: a ‘free economic zone’ does not mean controlled by Moscow. Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognise the Donbas region – its currently occupied areas – as belonging to Russia. Categorically,” said President Zelenskyy.

Path Forward and Potential Outcomes

The way ahead is uncertain how Moscow and Kyiv will proceed on the land question. The Ukrainian leader has previously suggested that a compromise solution such as a special economic area could be conceivable if the citizens of Ukraine approved it in a referendum. The critical stumbling block is expected to arise when the plans are put 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 face exactly what we are experiencing on our plane right now – turbulence,” commented the president, making the statement as his aircraft took off from Berlin.

“I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and provide us with additional armaments if they reject the deal. In my view, that would be a fair request from us to the United States,” he concluded.