Peace Plans Ready for Presented to Russia In the Coming Days, States Ukraine's President

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that a framework for a peace deal developed with US officials could be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, American envoys are expected to submit the documentation to the Russian leadership.

Berlin Talks Yield Major Headway, With Critical Obstacles Remain

Following extensive talks in Berlin, US officials reported on Monday that around “90%” of the contentious issues between Moscow and Kyiv had been settled. Despite this optimistic assessment, an actual conclusion to the war remains uncertain, especially given the Russian absence from the ongoing discussions.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that the US Congress was anticipated to vote on defense assurances and that a complete package of documents might be ready “imminently.” Subsequently, the U.S. would engage in discussions with Russian representatives, leading to high-level meetings as soon as this weekend.

Security Guarantees and International Support

“The plan involves five key agreements. Some of them pertain to binding security pledges: formally ratified, that is, voted on and endorsed by the US Congress,” the president remarked to the press. He clarified that these guarantees would “mirror article 5” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

On Monday, US officials declined to give precise information regarding the likely contents of the security package or the consequences if Moscow sought to capture more land following an agreement. 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 several additional European countries said in a unified declaration that forces belonging to a “coalition of the willing” could “help with the rebuilding of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukrainian airspace, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside Ukraine.”

They stopped short, however, of suggesting these actions would serve as guarantees matching NATO's Article 5. In any case, there is scant indication that Moscow is near agreeing to the kind of arrangement under discussion between Washington and Kyiv.

Kremlin Response and Territorial Dispute

The following day, the Kremlin 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 not agree to troops from NATO member states operating in Ukraine “under any circumstances.”

The main sticking point between the Ukrainian team and their American counterparts continues to be 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,” Zelenskyy 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 resulting zone established as “a free economic zone.” Russia has suggested it could use internal security formations rather than the army in such an area, suggesting it would still expect to maintain authority there.

“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ is not under the control of Moscow. Neither de jure nor de facto do we accept Donbas – its currently occupied areas – as Russian. Categorically,” said President Zelenskyy.

Path Forward and Potential Outcomes

The way ahead is uncertain how the two sides will resolve the territorial issue. The Ukrainian leader has earlier mentioned that a negotiated arrangement such as a free economic zone could be conceivable if the Ukrainian people approved it in a referendum. The critical stumbling block is expected to arise when the plans are put to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has given no sign he is prepared to concede on his military objectives.

“If Putin rejects everything, we will end up with exactly what we are encountering on our flight right now – instability,” commented the president, recording the comments as his aircraft departed from Berlin.

“I am confident the United States will apply sanctions pressure and supply additional armaments if they reject the deal. In my view, that would be a fair request from us to the Americans,” he concluded.