Diplomatic Proposals Ready for Delivered to Russia Within Days, States Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that proposals for a ceasefire agreement developed with American diplomats could be finalised in a matter of days. Afterward, American envoys will submit the documentation to the Kremlin.
Negotiations in Berlin Produce Significant Progress, With Critical Obstacles Persist
Following extensive talks in Berlin, US officials indicated on Monday that around “90%” of the contentious issues between Russia and Ukraine had been resolved. Although the outlook appears positive, the path to ending the war is not guaranteed, particularly because the Russian lack of participation from the current dialogue.
In the early hours of Tuesday, the Ukrainian president noted that the US Congress was anticipated to consider security guarantees and that a complete package of agreements might be ready “imminently.” He added that, the United States would hold consultations with Moscow, leading to high-level meetings as soon as this weekend.
Defense Assurances and International Support
“The plan involves five key agreements. Several concern binding security pledges: legally binding, that is, voted on and endorsed by the United States Congress,” the president commented to journalists. He stated that these assurances would “reflect the collective defense clause” of the Nato alliance.
On Monday, American representatives declined to give specific details regarding the likely contents of the security package or the consequences if Moscow sought to capture additional territory following an agreement. Officials did confirm that the U.S. has no plans to place boots on the ground in the country.
Heads of state from the UK, France, Germany and several additional European countries said in a unified declaration that troops from a “coalition of the willing” could “help with the rebuilding of Ukrainian military capabilities, in securing Ukrainian airspace, and in ensuring maritime security, including through conducting operations within Ukraine.”
They stopped short, however, of proposing these actions would constitute assurances matching Nato’s article 5. Furthermore, there is scant indication that Russia is near agreeing to the kind of arrangement under discussion between Washington and Kyiv.
Kremlin Response and Land Issue
On Tuesday, the Russian government said it had not seen the details of the plans for security assurances. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, declared that the country would not agree to troops from NATO member states operating in Ukraine “no matter what.”
The primary obstacle between the Ukrainian team and US negotiators remains the territorial question. A key demand centers on Ukraine ceding the areas of the Donbas it still holds, while the Ukrainian side wants to maintain the current front lines. “We are discussing the territorial issue. You know, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no consensus on it yet,” the president said after the Berlin talks.
American mediators, headed by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has suggested a middle-ground proposal. Under this plan would see Ukraine withdraw, but Russian troops would not move forward, with the resulting zone established as “an open economic area.” Moscow has indicated it could use police and national guard formations rather than the army in such an area, implying it would still seek to control the territory.
“Let me reiterate: a ‘free economic zone’ is not under the control of Russia. Neither de jure nor de facto do we accept the Donbas region – its temporarily occupied part – as belonging to Russia. Absolutely,” said Zelenskyy.
Path Forward and Possible Scenarios
The way ahead is uncertain how Moscow and Kyiv will proceed on the land question. Zelenskyy has earlier mentioned that a negotiated arrangement such as a special economic area could be conceivable if the Ukrainian people voted for it in a national vote. The critical stumbling block is expected to arise when the plans are put 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 exactly what we are encountering on our plane 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 more weapons if they reject the deal. In my view, that would be a reasonable expectation from us to the Americans,” he added.
