Diplomatic Proposals Set to be Delivered to Moscow In the Coming Days, States Ukraine's President

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. Afterward, American envoys are expected to submit the documentation to the Russian leadership.

Berlin Talks Yield Significant Progress, With Critical Obstacles Remain

After two days of discussions in Berlin, US officials reported on Monday that around “90%” of the disputed points between Russia and Ukraine had been resolved. Although the outlook appears positive, the path to ending the war remains uncertain, especially given the Russian absence from the ongoing discussions.

Early Tuesday morning, Zelenskyy noted that the American legislature was anticipated to consider defense assurances and that a complete package of documents might be ready “today or tomorrow.” He added that, the U.S. would engage in discussions with Moscow, potentially followed by summit-level talks possibly this weekend.

Security Guarantees and International Support

“The plan involves five documents. Some of them concern binding security pledges: formally ratified, that is, approved and endorsed by the US Congress,” Zelenskyy commented to the press. He stated that these assurances would “reflect article 5” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Earlier, American representatives declined to give precise information regarding the probable makeup of the defense package or what would happen if Moscow attempted to seize more land following an agreement. Officials did confirm that the U.S. does not intend to deploy troops on the ground in the country.

Leaders from the UK, France, Germany and eight other European countries said in a unified declaration that forces belonging to a “coalition of the willing” could “help with the rebuilding of Ukrainian military capabilities, in securing Ukrainian airspace, and in supporting safer seas, potentially by operating inside Ukraine.”

However, they did not proposing these measures would constitute assurances equivalent to Nato’s article 5. Furthermore, there is little sign that Russia is anywhere close to agreeing to the kind of arrangement being negotiated between Washington and Kyiv.

Moscow's Stance and Land Issue

On Tuesday, the Russian government said it had not received the specifics of the plans for security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, asserted that Russia would never accept forces of Nato countries being stationed in Ukrainian territory “under any circumstances.”

The primary obstacle between the Ukrainian negotiators and US negotiators continues to be the issue of land. One proposal involves Ukraine ceding the areas of the Donbas region it still holds, while Ukraine prefers to maintain the current front lines. “We are discussing the territorial issue. You know, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no agreement on it yet,” the president remarked after the Berlin talks.

American mediators, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has proposed a compromise solution. Under this plan would see Ukrainian forces pull back, but Russia would not move forward, with the demilitarised area becoming “an open economic area.” Moscow has indicated it could use internal security units rather than the army in such an area, suggesting it would still expect to maintain authority there.

“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ is not controlled by Moscow. Not legally or in practice will we recognise the Donbas region – its temporarily occupied part – as belonging to Russia. Absolutely,” stated Zelenskyy.

Path Forward and Possible Scenarios

The way ahead is uncertain how the two sides will resolve the territorial issue. Zelenskyy has previously suggested that a compromise solution like a special economic area could be conceivable if the citizens of Ukraine voted for it in a national vote. The major impediment is likely to be 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 face precisely the situation we are experiencing on our plane right now – turbulence,” said Zelenskyy, recording the comments as his aircraft took off from Berlin.

“I believe the United States will increase sanction pressure and provide us with additional armaments if he rejects everything. I think, that would be a fair request from Ukraine to the Americans,” he concluded.