Peace Plans Ready for Presented to Russia In the Coming Days, Says Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that a framework for a peace deal negotiated with American diplomats are poised to be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, U.S. representatives will present the documentation to the Russian leadership.

Berlin Talks Yield Significant Progress, But Key Hurdles Persist

Following extensive talks in Berlin, US officials reported on Monday that approximately “90%” of the disputed points between Moscow and Kyiv had been resolved. Despite this optimistic assessment, an actual conclusion to the war remains uncertain, especially given 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 defense assurances and that a complete package of agreements might be ready “today or tomorrow.” He added that, the U.S. would engage in discussions with Russian representatives, potentially followed by summit-level talks as soon as this coming weekend.

Security Guarantees and International Support

“The plan involves five documents. Several pertain to binding security pledges: legally binding, that is, voted on and endorsed by the US Congress,” Zelenskyy remarked to journalists. He stated that these guarantees would “mirror article 5” of the Nato alliance.

Earlier, US officials declined to give precise information regarding the probable makeup of the defense package or what would happen if Russia sought to capture more land after a peace deal. Officials did confirm that the United States does not intend to place boots on the ground in Ukraine.

Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and several additional European nations said in a unified declaration that troops from a “allied coalition” could “assist in the rebuilding of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting maritime security, including through conducting operations within Ukraine.”

They stopped short, however, of proposing these measures would constitute assurances equivalent to Nato’s article 5. Furthermore, there is little sign that Moscow is anywhere close to agreeing to the type of package under discussion between Washington and Kyiv.

Kremlin Response and Land Issue

The following day, the Kremlin said it had not received the details of the plans for security assurances. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, asserted that Russia would never accept forces of NATO member states operating in Ukrainian territory “no matter what.”

The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and their American counterparts continues to be the territorial question. A key demand centers on Kyiv ceding the areas of the Donbas it still holds, while the Ukrainian side prefers to maintain the current front lines. “We are discussing the land dispute. As is known, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no consensus on it yet,” the president said after the Berlin talks.

The US negotiation team, headed by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has proposed a compromise solution. This framework would see Ukrainian forces pull back, but Russia would not advance, with the demilitarised area becoming “a free economic zone.” Moscow has indicated it could use internal security units instead of the army in such an area, implying it would still seek to maintain authority there.

“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ does not mean under the control of Moscow. Not legally or in practice do we accept the Donbas region – its temporarily occupied part – as Russian. Absolutely,” said Zelenskyy.

Next Steps 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 compromise solution like a free economic zone might be theoretically possible if the Ukrainian people approved it in a referendum. The critical stumbling block is expected to arise when the plans are presented to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has shown no indication he is willing to compromise on his military objectives.

“If Putin rejects everything, we will end up with precisely the situation we are experiencing on our flight right now – turbulence,” commented Zelenskyy, making the statement after his plane departed from Berlin.

“I am confident the United States will increase sanction pressure and provide us with more weapons if he rejects everything. In my view, that would be a fair request from Ukraine to the United States,” he concluded.