Peace Plans Ready for Delivered to Moscow In the Coming Days, Says Ukraine's President

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that a framework for a peace deal developed with American diplomats could be finalised in a matter of days. Afterward, U.S. representatives are expected to present the terms to the Russian leadership.

Berlin Talks Yield Major Headway, But Key Hurdles Persist

After two days of discussions in Berlin, American negotiators indicated on Monday that approximately “90%” of the disputed points between Russia and Ukraine had been resolved. Although the outlook appears positive, an actual conclusion to the conflict remains uncertain, particularly because the Russian lack of participation from the ongoing discussions.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Zelenskyy noted that the American legislature is expected to consider defense assurances and that a finalised set of documents might be ready “today or tomorrow.” Subsequently, the United States would hold consultations with Russian representatives, potentially followed by summit-level talks possibly this weekend.

Defense Assurances and International Support

“The plan involves five key agreements. Several concern binding security pledges: formally ratified, that is, voted on and approved by the United States Congress,” Zelenskyy remarked to journalists. He clarified that these assurances would “reflect the collective defense clause” of the Nato alliance.

Earlier, US officials did not provide precise information regarding the probable makeup of the security package or what would happen if Russia attempted to seize additional territory following an agreement. They did, however, confirm that the U.S. does not intend to deploy troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and several additional European countries issued a joint statement that troops from a “allied coalition” could “assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukrainian airspace, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside Ukraine.”

However, they did not proposing these measures would serve as assurances matching NATO's Article 5. In any case, there is scant indication that Moscow is anywhere close to accepting the kind of arrangement being negotiated between the U.S. and Ukraine.

Moscow's Stance and Territorial Dispute

The following day, the Kremlin said it had not received the specifics of the plans for security assurances. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, 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 team and US negotiators remains the issue of land. One proposal involves Kyiv ceding the areas of the Donbas it currently controls, while the Ukrainian side wants to maintain the current front lines. “Talks continue on the land dispute. You know, it is a central problem. Currently, there is no agreement on it yet,” Zelenskyy said after the Berlin talks.

The US negotiation team, led by two senior advisors, has suggested a compromise solution. This framework would see Ukraine pull back, but Russian troops would not move forward, with the demilitarised area becoming “a free economic zone.” Moscow has indicated it could use police and national guard units rather than the army in such an area, suggesting it would still expect to control the territory.

“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ is not controlled by Moscow. Neither de jure nor de facto do we accept Donbas – its currently occupied areas – as Russian. Absolutely,” said Zelenskyy.

Path Forward and Potential Outcomes

The way ahead is uncertain how the two sides will proceed on the land question. The Ukrainian leader has previously suggested that a compromise solution such as a free economic zone might be conceivable if the Ukrainian people voted for it in a national vote. The major impediment is expected to arise when the plans are put to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who has given no sign he is prepared to concede on his war aims.

“If Putin rejects everything, we will face exactly what we are encountering on our plane right now – turbulence,” said Zelenskyy, making the statement after his plane took off from Berlin.

“I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and supply more weapons if they reject the deal. I think, that would be a fair request from us to the United States,” he concluded.