Peace Plans Ready for Delivered to Moscow Within Days, Says Ukraine's President

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that proposals for a peace deal developed with American diplomats are poised to be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, American envoys are expected to submit the terms to the Kremlin.

Berlin Talks Yield Significant Progress, But Key Hurdles Persist

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, especially given the Russian lack of participation from the ongoing discussions.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Zelenskyy noted that the US Congress was anticipated to consider defense assurances and that a finalised set of agreements might be ready “imminently.” He added that, the United States would engage in discussions with Russian representatives, leading to summit-level talks as soon as this weekend.

Security Guarantees and International Support

“The plan involves five key agreements. Several pertain to binding security pledges: legally binding, that is, voted on and endorsed by the United States Congress,” Zelenskyy remarked to the press. He stated that these guarantees would “reflect the collective defense clause” of the Nato alliance.

Earlier, American representatives did not provide specific details regarding the probable makeup of the defense package or what would happen if Russia attempted to seize more land after a peace deal. Officials did confirm that the United States does not intend to place boots on the ground in the country.

Heads of state from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and several additional European nations issued a joint statement that forces belonging to a “coalition of the willing” could “help with the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in securing Ukrainian airspace, and in ensuring safer seas, including through conducting operations within its territory.”

However, they did not suggesting these measures would serve as assurances matching Nato’s article 5. Furthermore, there is little sign that Russia is near accepting the type of package under discussion between Washington and Kyiv.

Moscow's Stance and Territorial Dispute

The following day, the Russian government said it had not seen the specifics of the plans for security guarantees. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, declared that Russia would not agree to forces of NATO member states being stationed in Ukrainian territory “no matter what.”

The primary obstacle between the Ukrainian negotiators and US negotiators continues to be the territorial question. One proposal centers on Ukraine ceding the areas of the Donbas it currently controls, while the Ukrainian side prefers to freeze the lines. “We are discussing the territorial issue. You know, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no consensus on it yet,” Zelenskyy remarked following the Berlin discussions.

American mediators, headed by two senior advisors, has proposed a middle-ground proposal. Under this plan would see Ukrainian forces pull back, but Russia would not advance, with the demilitarised area becoming “a free economic zone.” Moscow has suggested it could use internal security units instead of the army in such an area, implying it would still expect to maintain authority there.

“Let me reiterate: a ‘free economic zone’ does not mean controlled by Russia. Neither de jure nor de facto do we accept Donbas – its temporarily occupied part – as Russian. Categorically,” 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 previously suggested that a negotiated arrangement like a special economic area might be conceivable if the citizens of Ukraine voted for it in a referendum. The critical stumbling block is expected to arise when the plans are put to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, 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 – instability,” said Zelenskyy, making the statement after his plane departed from Berlin.

“I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and provide us with additional armaments if they reject the deal. I think, that would be a fair request from Ukraine to the United States,” he concluded.