Diplomatic Plans Set to be Delivered to Moscow Within Days, Says Ukraine's President
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that a framework for a peace deal developed with American diplomats are poised to be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, American envoys will present the documentation to the Kremlin.
Negotiations in Berlin Produce Major Headway, But Key Hurdles Remain
Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators indicated on Monday that around “90%” of the disputed points between Russia and Ukraine had been settled. Although the outlook appears positive, the path to ending the war is not guaranteed, especially given the Russian absence from the ongoing discussions.
Early Tuesday morning, Zelenskyy said that the American legislature is expected to vote on security guarantees and that a finalised set of documents might be ready “today or tomorrow.” Subsequently, the U.S. would engage in discussions with Russian representatives, leading to summit-level talks as soon as this weekend.
Defense Assurances and Allied Backing
“We are counting on five documents. Several pertain to security guarantees: legally binding, that is, approved and approved by the United States Congress,” the president remarked to the press. He clarified that these guarantees would “reflect article 5” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Earlier, US officials did not provide specific details regarding the probable makeup of the defense package or the consequences if Moscow attempted to seize more land after a peace deal. They did, however, confirm that the United States does not intend to place boots on the ground in the country.
Heads of state from the UK, France, Germany and eight other European nations issued a joint statement that forces belonging to a “coalition of the willing” could “help with the rebuilding of Ukrainian military capabilities, in protecting Ukrainian airspace, and in supporting maritime security, potentially by conducting operations within Ukraine.”
They stopped short, however, of proposing these actions would constitute guarantees equivalent to Nato’s article 5. Furthermore, there is scant indication 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
The following day, the Russian government stated it had not seen the specifics of the proposals on security assurances. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergey Ryabkov, asserted that Russia would not agree to forces of Nato countries operating in Ukraine “under any circumstances.”
The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and their American counterparts remains the territorial question. One proposal centers on Ukraine relinquishing the areas of the Donbas it still holds, while Ukraine wants to maintain the current front lines. “Talks continue on the territorial issue. As is known, it is a central problem. At this point, there is no consensus on it yet,” the president said after the Berlin talks.
American mediators, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has suggested a middle-ground proposal. This framework would see Ukraine pull back, but Russian troops would not move forward, with the resulting zone established as “an open economic area.” Moscow has indicated it could use internal security 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’ is not under the control of Russia. Not legally or in practice do we accept Donbas – its temporarily occupied part – as Russian. Categorically,” said Zelenskyy.
Path Forward and Possible Scenarios
It is not clear how the two sides will proceed on the land question. The Ukrainian leader has previously suggested that a compromise solution like a special economic area could be theoretically possible if the Ukrainian people voted for it in a referendum. The major impediment is likely to be when the plans 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 face precisely the situation we are encountering on our plane right now – instability,” commented the president, making the statement after his plane departed from Berlin.
“I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and supply additional armaments if he rejects everything. I think, that would be a fair request from Ukraine to the Americans,” he added.
