Diplomatic Plans Ready for Presented to Moscow Within Days, Says Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that proposals for a peace deal developed with US officials are poised to be completed in a matter of days. Following this, U.S. representatives will submit the terms to the Kremlin.
Negotiations in Berlin Produce Significant Progress, With Critical Obstacles Persist
After two days of discussions in Berlin, American negotiators indicated on Monday that approximately “90%” of the contentious issues between Russia and Ukraine had been settled. Although the outlook appears positive, an actual conclusion to the conflict remains uncertain, especially given the Russian lack of participation from the current dialogue.
In the early hours of Tuesday, the Ukrainian president noted that the American legislature is expected to consider security guarantees and that a complete package of documents could be prepared “today or tomorrow.” He added that, the United States would hold consultations with Moscow, leading to summit-level talks possibly this weekend.
Security Guarantees and International Support
“The plan involves five documents. Several pertain to security guarantees: legally binding, that is, approved and endorsed by the US Congress,” Zelenskyy commented to the press. He clarified that these guarantees would “mirror article 5” of the Nato alliance.
Earlier, US officials did not provide precise information regarding the likely contents of the defense package or the consequences if Moscow attempted to seize additional territory following an agreement. They did, however, confirm that the U.S. has no plans to deploy troops on the ground in Ukraine.
Leaders 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 rebuilding of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukraine’s skies, and in ensuring safer seas, potentially by conducting operations within its territory.”
However, they did not proposing these measures would constitute guarantees equivalent to Nato’s article 5. Furthermore, there is little sign that Moscow is near accepting the type of package being negotiated between Washington and Kyiv.
Moscow's Stance and Land Issue
On Tuesday, the Russian government said it had not seen the specifics of the proposals on security assurances. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, declared that Russia would never accept forces of Nato countries being stationed in Ukrainian territory “no matter what.”
The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and US negotiators remains the issue of land. A key demand involves Ukraine ceding the parts of the Donbas it currently controls, while Ukraine wants to freeze the lines. “Talks continue on the territorial issue. As is known, it is one of the key issues. At this point, there is no agreement on it yet,” the president remarked after the Berlin talks.
The US negotiation team, headed by two senior advisors, has suggested a middle-ground proposal. Under this plan would see Ukraine withdraw, but Russia would not move forward, with the demilitarised area established as “a free economic zone.” Russia has suggested it could use police and national guard formations instead of the army in such an area, suggesting it would still expect to maintain authority there.
“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ is not controlled by Moscow. Neither de jure nor de facto do we accept the Donbas region – its temporarily occupied part – as belonging to Russia. Categorically,” said President Zelenskyy.
Path Forward and Possible Scenarios
The way ahead is uncertain how Moscow and Kyiv will proceed on the land question. Zelenskyy has previously suggested that a negotiated arrangement such as a special economic area might be theoretically possible if the Ukrainian people approved it in a national vote. The critical stumbling block is likely to be when the plans are presented to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who has given no sign he is willing to compromise on his military objectives.
“Should Russia refuse all proposals, we will end up with exactly what we are encountering on our flight right now – turbulence,” said Zelenskyy, making the statement after his plane departed from Berlin.
“I believe the United States will increase sanction pressure and supply additional armaments if they reject the deal. In my view, that would be a reasonable expectation from us to the United States,” he added.
