Peace Proposals Set to be Delivered to Moscow Within Days, Says Ukraine's President
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that proposals for a ceasefire agreement developed with American diplomats are poised to be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, U.S. representatives will submit the documentation to the Russian leadership.
Negotiations in Berlin Produce Major Headway, But Key Hurdles Remain
After two days of discussions in Berlin, US officials reported on Monday that approximately “90%” of the contentious issues between Russia and Ukraine had been settled. Despite this optimistic assessment, an actual conclusion to the conflict remains uncertain, particularly because the Russian absence from the current dialogue.
In the early hours of Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that the US Congress was anticipated to consider security guarantees and that a finalised set of documents could be prepared “today or tomorrow.” He added that, the United States would engage in discussions with Moscow, leading to summit-level talks as soon as this coming weekend.
Security Guarantees and Allied Backing
“We are counting on five documents. Several pertain to security guarantees: legally binding, that is, approved and endorsed by the US Congress,” the president commented to the press. He clarified that these guarantees would “reflect article 5” of the Nato alliance.
On Monday, American representatives declined to give precise information regarding the probable makeup of the defense package or what would happen if Russia attempted to seize additional territory following an agreement. They did, however, confirm that the U.S. does not intend to place boots on the ground in Ukraine.
Heads of state from the UK, France, Germany and eight other European nations issued a joint statement that forces belonging to a “allied coalition” could “assist in the rebuilding of Ukrainian military capabilities, in protecting Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside its territory.”
However, they did not suggesting these measures would constitute assurances matching NATO's Article 5. Furthermore, there is scant indication that Russia is anywhere close to accepting the kind of arrangement under discussion between Washington and Kyiv.
Kremlin Response and Land Issue
The following day, the Kremlin said it had not seen the details of the proposals on security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, asserted that Russia would not agree to forces of Nato countries being stationed in Ukrainian territory “no matter what.”
The primary obstacle between the Ukrainian team and their American counterparts remains the territorial question. A key demand involves Kyiv relinquishing the areas of the Donbas region it still holds, while Ukraine prefers to freeze the lines. “We are discussing the territorial issue. You know, it is a central problem. At this point, there is no agreement on it yet,” the president said following the Berlin discussions.
American mediators, headed by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has suggested a middle-ground proposal. This framework would see Ukrainian forces pull back, but Russian troops would not advance, with the demilitarised area becoming “an open economic area.” Russia has indicated it could use internal security units instead of the army in such an area, implying it would still expect to maintain authority there.
“Let me reiterate: a ‘free economic zone’ is not under the control of Russia. Not legally or in practice will we recognise the Donbas region – its currently occupied areas – as belonging to Russia. Categorically,” stated Zelenskyy.
Next Steps and Potential Outcomes
It is not clear how Moscow and Kyiv will resolve the territorial issue. The Ukrainian leader has earlier mentioned that a negotiated arrangement such as a free economic zone might be theoretically possible if the Ukrainian people approved it in a referendum. The major impediment is likely to be when the proposals are presented to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has given no sign he is willing to compromise on his war aims.
“Should Russia refuse all proposals, we will face precisely the situation we are encountering on our flight right now – instability,” commented Zelenskyy, making the statement after his plane took off from Berlin.
“I am confident the United States will apply sanctions pressure and provide us with additional armaments if they reject the deal. I think, that would be a fair request from us to the United States,” he concluded.