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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that proposals for a peace deal negotiated with American diplomats are poised to be completed in a matter of days. Following this, U.S. representatives will present the terms to the Russian leadership.

Berlin Talks Yield Significant Progress, But Key Hurdles Remain

Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators reported on Monday that around “90%” of the contentious issues between Russia and Ukraine had been settled. Although the outlook appears positive, an actual conclusion to the war is not guaranteed, particularly because Russia's absence from the ongoing discussions.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that the American legislature was anticipated to vote on security guarantees and that a complete package of agreements might be ready “imminently.” He added that, the U.S. would hold consultations with Moscow, leading to high-level meetings possibly this coming weekend.

Defense Assurances and International Support

“The plan involves five documents. Some of them concern binding security pledges: legally binding, that is, approved and endorsed by the United States Congress,” the president commented to the press. He clarified that these guarantees would “mirror the collective defense clause” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Earlier, American representatives declined to give precise information regarding the likely contents of the security package or what would happen if Moscow sought to capture more land following an agreement. Officials did confirm that the United States has no plans 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 “assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukrainian airspace, and in ensuring maritime security, potentially by conducting operations within its territory.”

They stopped short, however, of suggesting these actions would constitute assurances matching Nato’s article 5. Furthermore, there is little sign that Moscow is anywhere close to accepting the type of package under discussion 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 assurances. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, asserted that Russia would never accept forces of Nato countries being stationed in Ukraine “no matter what.”

The main sticking point between the Ukrainian team and their American counterparts continues to be the territorial question. One proposal centers on Kyiv ceding the parts of the Donbas region it currently controls, while Ukraine wants to maintain the current front lines. “Talks continue on the land dispute. You know, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no consensus on it yet,” the president remarked following the Berlin discussions.

The US negotiation team, headed by two senior advisors, has proposed a compromise solution. This framework 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 units rather than the military in such an area, implying it would still seek to maintain authority there.

“I want to stress once again: a ‘special economic zone’ is not under the control of Russia. Not legally or in practice do we accept Donbas – its currently occupied areas – as belonging to Russia. Absolutely,” stated Zelenskyy.

Next Steps and Possible Scenarios

It is not clear how the two sides will resolve the land question. The Ukrainian leader has previously suggested that a compromise solution like a special economic area might be conceivable if the Ukrainian people voted for it in a national vote. The critical stumbling block is likely to be when the plans are presented to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has shown no indication he is prepared to concede on his war aims.

“If Putin rejects everything, we will end up with precisely the situation we are experiencing on our flight right now – turbulence,” said the president, making the statement after his plane took off 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 us to the United States,” he concluded.