Peace Plans Set to be Delivered to Moscow Within Days, Says Ukraine's President
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that proposals for a peace deal developed with US officials could be finalised in a matter of days. Afterward, U.S. representatives are expected to present the terms to the Kremlin.
Berlin Talks Yield Major Headway, With Critical Obstacles Remain
Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators reported on Monday that approximately “90%” of the disputed points between Moscow and Kyiv had been settled. Despite this optimistic assessment, an actual conclusion to the conflict is not guaranteed, particularly because Russia's absence from the current dialogue.
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 might be ready “imminently.” Subsequently, the United States would hold consultations with Russian representatives, leading to high-level meetings as soon as this coming weekend.
Security Guarantees and International Support
“We are counting on five documents. Several pertain to binding security pledges: legally binding, that is, voted on and approved by the United States Congress,” the president commented to the press. He stated that these guarantees would “reflect article 5” of the Nato alliance.
Earlier, US officials did not provide precise information regarding the probable makeup of the defense package or the consequences if Russia sought to capture more land after a peace deal. Officials did confirm that the United States has no plans to place boots on the ground in Ukraine.
Heads of state from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and several additional European countries issued a joint statement that troops from a “coalition of the willing” could “assist in the rebuilding of Ukraine’s forces, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in ensuring maritime security, including through conducting operations within its territory.”
They stopped short, however, of suggesting these measures would constitute assurances matching Nato’s article 5. Furthermore, there is scant indication that Russia is near agreeing to the kind of arrangement being negotiated between the U.S. and Ukraine.
Kremlin Response and Territorial Dispute
The following day, the Kremlin stated it had not received the specifics of the proposals on security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, declared that Russia would not agree to forces of Nato countries being stationed in Ukraine “under any circumstances.”
The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and their American counterparts remains the issue of land. A key demand involves Kyiv relinquishing the parts of the Donbas region it still holds, while the Ukrainian side wants to maintain the current front lines. “Talks continue on the land dispute. You know, it is a central problem. Currently, there is no consensus on it yet,” Zelenskyy said following the Berlin discussions.
The US negotiation team, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has proposed a compromise solution. Under this plan 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 units instead of the military in such an area, implying it would still expect to control the territory.
“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ does not mean under the control of Moscow. Not legally or in practice will we recognise the Donbas region – its currently occupied areas – as belonging to Russia. Absolutely,” stated Zelenskyy.
Path Forward and Potential Outcomes
The way ahead is uncertain how Moscow and Kyiv will proceed on the land question. Zelenskyy has earlier mentioned that a negotiated arrangement such as a free economic zone could be conceivable if the Ukrainian people approved it in a referendum. The major impediment is likely to be when the proposals are put to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has shown no indication he is prepared to concede on his war aims.
“Should Russia refuse all proposals, we will end up with precisely the situation we are encountering on our plane right now – turbulence,” said the president, making the statement after his plane took off from Berlin.
“I believe the United States will increase sanction pressure and provide us with additional armaments if they reject the deal. I think, that would be a reasonable expectation from Ukraine to the United States,” he added.