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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that proposals for a peace deal developed with US officials are poised to be finalised in a matter of days. Following this, U.S. representatives will present the terms to the Russian leadership.

Berlin Talks Yield Significant Progress, With Critical Obstacles Persist

Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators reported on Monday that approximately “90%” of the contentious issues between Russia and Ukraine had been settled. Although the outlook appears positive, the path to ending the conflict is not guaranteed, particularly because the Russian lack of participation from the ongoing discussions.

Early Tuesday morning, Zelenskyy said that the US Congress is expected to consider security guarantees and that a finalised set of agreements might be ready “today or tomorrow.” He added that, the United States would hold consultations 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. Some of them pertain to binding security pledges: formally ratified, that is, approved and endorsed by the United States Congress,” Zelenskyy remarked to the press. He stated that these assurances 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 defense package or what would happen if Russia sought to capture more land after a peace deal. They did, however, confirm that the U.S. 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 said in a unified declaration that troops from a “coalition of the willing” could “assist in the rebuilding of Ukrainian military capabilities, in securing Ukrainian airspace, and in supporting 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 Moscow is anywhere close to accepting the type of package being negotiated between the U.S. and Ukraine.

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. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergey Ryabkov, declared 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 remains the issue of land. One proposal centers on Ukraine relinquishing the areas of the Donbas it still holds, while Ukraine wants to maintain the current front lines. “Talks continue on the land dispute. You know, it is a central problem. Currently, there is no consensus on it yet,” the president remarked after the Berlin talks.

American mediators, headed by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has suggested a middle-ground proposal. Under this plan would see Ukrainian forces pull back, but Russia would not advance, with the resulting zone becoming “an open economic area.” Moscow has suggested it could use internal security units instead of the military in such an area, implying it would still expect to control the territory.

“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ is not under the control of Moscow. Not legally or in practice will we recognise the Donbas region – its currently occupied areas – as belonging to Russia. Categorically,” said Zelenskyy.

Next Steps and Potential Outcomes

It is not clear how the two sides will proceed on the land question. Zelenskyy has earlier mentioned that a compromise solution like a free economic zone could be conceivable if the citizens of Ukraine approved it in a referendum. The major impediment is expected to arise when the proposals are put to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who has given no sign he is willing to compromise on his military objectives.

“Should Russia refuse all proposals, we will face exactly what we are encountering on our plane right now – turbulence,” said the president, making the statement after his plane departed from Berlin.

“I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and provide us with more weapons if he rejects everything. I think, that would be a reasonable expectation from Ukraine to the Americans,” he added.