Diplomatic Proposals Ready for Delivered to Russia Within Days, States Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that a framework for a peace deal developed with American diplomats are poised to be finalised in a matter of days. Following this, American envoys will present the terms to the Kremlin.

Negotiations in Berlin Produce Major Headway, But Key Hurdles Persist

Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators indicated on Monday that approximately “90%” of the disputed points between Russia and Ukraine had been resolved. Despite this optimistic assessment, the path to ending the conflict is not guaranteed, especially given the Russian absence from the ongoing discussions.

Early Tuesday morning, Zelenskyy noted that the US Congress was anticipated to consider defense assurances and that a complete package of documents might be ready “imminently.” He added that, the United States would engage in discussions with Russian representatives, leading to high-level meetings as soon as this coming weekend.

Defense Assurances and Allied Backing

“We are counting on five key agreements. Several pertain to binding security pledges: legally binding, that is, voted on and endorsed 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, American representatives declined to give specific details regarding the likely contents of the security package or the consequences if Russia attempted to seize additional territory after a peace deal. Officials did confirm that the U.S. does not intend to place boots on the ground in the country.

Heads of state from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and eight other European countries said in a unified declaration that forces belonging to a “allied coalition” could “assist in the regeneration of Ukrainian military capabilities, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in ensuring maritime security, potentially by conducting operations within its territory.”

However, they did not proposing these actions would serve as assurances equivalent to Nato’s article 5. In any case, there is little sign that Moscow is anywhere close to accepting the kind of arrangement under discussion between the U.S. and Ukraine.

Moscow's Stance and Territorial Dispute

On Tuesday, the Russian government said it had not seen the specifics of the proposals on security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergey Ryabkov, asserted that the country would never accept forces of NATO member states being stationed in Ukraine “no matter what.”

The primary obstacle between the Ukrainian negotiators and their American counterparts continues to be the territorial question. One proposal involves Kyiv ceding the parts of the Donbas region it still holds, while Ukraine wants to maintain the current front lines. “Talks continue on the land dispute. As is known, 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 Ukraine withdraw, but Russian troops would not advance, with the demilitarised area established as “an open economic area.” Moscow has indicated it could use internal security units rather than the army in such an area, suggesting it would still seek to control the territory.

“Let me reiterate: a ‘free economic zone’ does not mean under the control of Russia. Not legally or in practice will we recognise Donbas – its currently occupied areas – as belonging to Russia. Absolutely,” stated Zelenskyy.

Next Steps and Potential Outcomes

The way ahead is uncertain how Moscow and Kyiv will resolve the land question. The Ukrainian leader has earlier mentioned that a compromise solution like 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 presented to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has given no sign he is willing to compromise on his war aims.

“If Putin rejects everything, we will end up with exactly what we are experiencing on our plane right now – turbulence,” commented Zelenskyy, recording the comments after his plane took off from Berlin.

“I believe the United States will increase sanction pressure and provide us with additional armaments if he rejects everything. I think, that would be a reasonable expectation from us to the United States,” he concluded.