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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that proposals for a peace deal negotiated with US officials 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, With Critical Obstacles Persist

Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators reported on Monday that approximately “90%” of the disputed points between Moscow and Kyiv had been settled. Although the outlook appears positive, the path to ending the war is not guaranteed, particularly because the Russian absence from the current dialogue.

In the early hours of Tuesday, the Ukrainian president noted that the American legislature was anticipated to vote on security guarantees and that a complete package of agreements might be ready “today or tomorrow.” Subsequently, the U.S. would hold consultations with Moscow, leading to high-level meetings as soon as this coming weekend.

Security Guarantees and International Support

“We are counting on five documents. Several concern binding security pledges: formally ratified, that is, approved and approved by the United States Congress,” Zelenskyy commented to journalists. He stated that these guarantees would “mirror the collective defense clause” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

On Monday, US officials declined to give specific details regarding the probable makeup of the defense package or the consequences if Moscow attempted to seize additional territory following an agreement. Officials did confirm that the United States does not intend to place boots on the ground in Ukraine.

Heads of state from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and eight other European nations issued a joint statement that troops from a “allied coalition” could “help with the regeneration of Ukrainian military capabilities, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting maritime security, potentially by operating inside Ukraine.”

They stopped short, however, of suggesting these actions would serve as assurances matching NATO's Article 5. In any case, there is scant indication that Russia is anywhere close to agreeing to the kind of arrangement being negotiated between the U.S. and Ukraine.

Kremlin Response and Territorial Dispute

The following day, the Russian government stated it had not received the details of the proposals on security assurances. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, declared that Russia would not agree to forces of Nato countries being stationed in Ukrainian territory “under any circumstances.”

The main sticking point between the Ukrainian team and their American counterparts continues to be the territorial question. A key demand involves Ukraine ceding the parts of the Donbas region it still holds, while the Ukrainian side prefers to maintain the current front lines. “We are discussing the territorial issue. As is known, it is a central problem. At this point, there is no agreement on it yet,” the president said following the Berlin discussions.

The US negotiation team, headed by two senior advisors, has proposed a compromise solution. Under this plan would see Ukraine pull back, but Russian troops would not advance, with the resulting zone becoming “an open economic area.” Russia has indicated it could use police and national guard formations instead of the army in such an area, implying it would still seek to maintain authority there.

“I want to stress once again: a ‘special economic zone’ is not under the control of Moscow. Neither de jure nor de facto do we accept the Donbas region – its temporarily occupied part – as Russian. Categorically,” said President Zelenskyy.

Path Forward and Potential Outcomes

The way ahead is uncertain how Moscow and Kyiv will resolve the land question. Zelenskyy has previously suggested that a negotiated arrangement such as a free economic zone could be conceivable if the Ukrainian people approved 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 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,” said Zelenskyy, making the statement after his plane departed from Berlin.

“I am confident the United States will increase sanction pressure and supply more weapons if they reject the deal. In my view, that would be a fair request from us to the United States,” he added.