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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that proposals for a peace deal negotiated with US officials could be finalised in a matter of days. Afterward, American envoys will submit the terms to the Kremlin.

Berlin Talks Yield Significant Progress, With Critical Obstacles Remain

Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators indicated on Monday that around “90%” of the disputed points between Moscow and Kyiv had been resolved. Although the outlook appears positive, an actual conclusion to the conflict is not guaranteed, particularly because the Russian absence from the ongoing discussions.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that the American legislature was anticipated to consider defense assurances and that a finalised set of documents could be prepared “today or tomorrow.” He added that, the United States would engage in discussions with Russian representatives, potentially followed by high-level meetings as soon as this coming weekend.

Security Guarantees and Allied Backing

“The plan involves five key agreements. Several pertain to binding security pledges: formally ratified, that is, approved and approved by the US Congress,” the president commented to the press. He stated that these assurances would “mirror article 5” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Earlier, US officials declined to give precise information regarding the likely contents of the security package or the consequences if Moscow attempted to seize additional territory after a peace deal. They did, however, confirm that the United States does not intend to deploy troops on the ground in the country.

Heads of state from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and eight other European countries issued a joint statement that forces belonging to a “coalition of the willing” could “assist in the regeneration of Ukrainian military capabilities, in securing Ukrainian airspace, and in ensuring maritime security, potentially by operating inside its territory.”

They stopped short, however, of proposing these measures would constitute guarantees equivalent to Nato’s article 5. In any case, there is scant indication that Moscow is near agreeing to the type of package being negotiated between Washington and Kyiv.

Kremlin Response and Territorial Dispute

On Tuesday, the Russian government stated it had not seen the details of the proposals on security guarantees. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergey Ryabkov, asserted that the country would never accept troops from Nato countries operating in Ukrainian territory “no matter what.”

The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and US negotiators remains the issue of land. One proposal centers on Ukraine ceding the areas of the Donbas it currently controls, while Ukraine wants to freeze the lines. “We are discussing the land dispute. As is known, it is a central problem. Currently, there is no consensus on it yet,” the president remarked after the Berlin talks.

The US negotiation team, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has proposed a compromise solution. Under this plan would see Ukraine pull back, but Russia would not advance, with the demilitarised area becoming “a free economic zone.” Russia has suggested it could use police and national guard formations instead of the military in such an area, implying it would still expect to maintain authority there.

“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ is not controlled by Russia. Not legally or in practice do we accept the Donbas region – its currently occupied areas – as belonging to Russia. Categorically,” said Zelenskyy.

Path Forward and Possible Scenarios

The way ahead is uncertain how the two sides will resolve the territorial issue. Zelenskyy has previously suggested that a compromise solution like a special economic area could be conceivable if the citizens of Ukraine voted for it in a national vote. The major impediment is expected to arise when the proposals are presented to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who has given no sign he is prepared to concede on his war aims.

“If Putin rejects everything, we will end up with exactly what we are encountering on our flight 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 provide us with additional armaments if they reject the deal. In my view, that would be a fair request from Ukraine to the Americans,” he concluded.