Diplomatic Proposals Set to be Delivered to Russia Within Days, Says Ukraine's President
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that a framework for a ceasefire agreement developed with US officials could be completed in a matter of days. Following this, U.S. representatives are expected to present the terms to the Kremlin.
Berlin Talks Yield Major Headway, With Critical Obstacles Remain
Following extensive talks in Berlin, US officials indicated on Monday that around “90%” of the contentious issues between Russia and Ukraine had been settled. Despite this optimistic assessment, an actual conclusion to the war remains uncertain, particularly because Russia's lack of participation from the ongoing discussions.
In the early hours of Tuesday, the Ukrainian president said that the US Congress is expected to consider security guarantees and that a complete package of agreements might be ready “imminently.” He added that, the U.S. would engage in discussions with Moscow, potentially followed by high-level meetings possibly this weekend.
Security Guarantees and International Support
“We are counting on five documents. Some of them pertain to security guarantees: legally binding, that is, approved and approved by the United States Congress,” the president commented to journalists. He stated that these guarantees would “mirror article 5” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Earlier, US officials did not provide precise information regarding the likely contents of the security package or what would happen if Moscow sought to capture additional territory following an agreement. They did, however, confirm that the United States has no plans to place boots on the ground in the country.
Heads of state from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and eight other European countries issued a joint statement that troops from a “coalition of the willing” could “assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukraine’s skies, and in ensuring safer seas, potentially by conducting operations within Ukraine.”
They stopped short, however, of proposing these actions would constitute guarantees equivalent to NATO's Article 5. In any case, there is scant indication that Russia is near accepting the type of package under discussion between Washington and Kyiv.
Moscow's Stance and Land Issue
The following day, the Russian government stated it had not received the specifics of the plans for security assurances. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergey Ryabkov, declared that the country would never accept forces of NATO member states operating in Ukraine “no matter what.”
The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and their American counterparts remains the issue of land. One proposal centers on Ukraine ceding the areas of the Donbas region it currently controls, while Ukraine wants to freeze the lines. “We are discussing the land dispute. As is known, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no agreement on it yet,” the president remarked following the Berlin discussions.
American mediators, headed by two senior advisors, has suggested a middle-ground proposal. Under this plan would see Ukrainian forces withdraw, but Russia would not move forward, with the resulting zone established as “a free economic zone.” Russia has suggested it could use internal security units rather than the army in such an area, implying it would still seek to control the territory.
“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ is not under the control of 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 Potential Outcomes
It is not clear how Moscow and Kyiv will proceed on the territorial issue. The Ukrainian leader has earlier mentioned that a negotiated arrangement like a free economic zone could be theoretically possible if the citizens of Ukraine approved it in a national vote. The major impediment is expected to arise when the proposals 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 face exactly what we are encountering on our flight right now – turbulence,” commented Zelenskyy, making the statement after his plane departed from Berlin.
“I am confident the United States will apply sanctions pressure and provide us with more weapons if they reject the deal. I think, that would be a fair request from us to the Americans,” he added.
