Peace Plans Set to be Delivered to Russia Within Days, Says Ukraine's President
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that a framework for a peace deal negotiated with US officials could be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, U.S. representatives are expected to submit the documentation to the Russian leadership.
Berlin Talks Yield Major Headway, But Key Hurdles Remain
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. Despite this optimistic assessment, the path to ending the conflict remains uncertain, particularly because Russia's absence from the current dialogue.
Early Tuesday morning, the Ukrainian president said that the US Congress was anticipated to consider defense assurances and that a finalised set of documents might be ready “today or tomorrow.” He added that, the United States would engage in discussions with Moscow, leading to summit-level talks as soon as this coming weekend.
Security Guarantees and Allied Backing
“We are counting on five key agreements. Some of them pertain to security guarantees: legally binding, that is, voted on and endorsed by the US Congress,” the president remarked to the press. He stated that these guarantees would “mirror the collective defense clause” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
On Monday, American representatives did not provide specific details regarding the likely contents of the security package or the consequences if Moscow sought to capture additional territory following an agreement. Officials did confirm that the U.S. does not intend to place boots on the ground in the country.
Heads of state from the UK, France, Germany and several additional European countries said in a unified declaration that forces belonging to a “coalition of the willing” could “assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukrainian airspace, and in supporting maritime security, including through conducting operations within its territory.”
However, they did not proposing these measures would constitute guarantees matching Nato’s article 5. In any case, there is little sign that Moscow is near accepting the type of package under discussion between Washington and Kyiv.
Moscow's Stance and Territorial Dispute
On Tuesday, the Kremlin stated it had not received the details of the plans for security guarantees. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, declared that Russia would not agree to forces of Nato countries operating in Ukrainian territory “under any circumstances.”
The main sticking point between the Ukrainian team and their American counterparts continues to be the territorial question. One proposal involves Ukraine relinquishing the parts of the Donbas region it still holds, while the Ukrainian side wants to maintain the current front lines. “We are discussing the territorial issue. You know, it is a central problem. Currently, there is no consensus on it yet,” the president said after the Berlin talks.
American mediators, led by two senior advisors, has suggested a compromise solution. This framework would see Ukrainian forces withdraw, but Russia would not advance, with the demilitarised area established as “an open economic area.” Russia has suggested it could use internal security units instead of the military in such an area, implying it would still seek to control the territory.
“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ does not mean under the control of Russia. Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognise Donbas – its temporarily occupied part – as belonging to Russia. Categorically,” said President Zelenskyy.
Next Steps and Possible Scenarios
The way ahead is uncertain how the two sides will resolve the territorial issue. Zelenskyy has previously suggested that a negotiated arrangement such as a free economic zone could be theoretically possible if the Ukrainian people approved it in a national vote. 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.
“If Putin rejects everything, we will end up with precisely the situation we are encountering on our plane right now – instability,” said the president, making the statement after his plane took off from Berlin.
“I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and provide us with more weapons if they reject the deal. I think, that would be a reasonable expectation from Ukraine to the Americans,” he added.
