🔗 Share this article Diplomatic Proposals Ready for Presented to Russia Within Days, Says Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that proposals for a ceasefire agreement developed with US officials are poised to be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, American envoys will submit the terms to the Kremlin. Berlin Talks Yield Major Headway, But Key Hurdles Remain Following extensive talks in Berlin, US officials indicated on Monday that around “90%” of the disputed points between Russia and Ukraine had been resolved. Despite this optimistic assessment, the path to ending the war is not guaranteed, especially given the Russian lack of participation from the current dialogue. In the early hours of Tuesday, the Ukrainian president noted that the American legislature was anticipated to consider defense assurances and that a finalised set of agreements might be ready “today or tomorrow.” He added that, the U.S. would hold consultations with Russian representatives, leading to summit-level talks possibly this coming weekend. Defense Assurances and International Support “The plan involves five key agreements. Some of them pertain to binding security pledges: formally ratified, that is, voted on and endorsed by the US Congress,” Zelenskyy commented to the press. He stated that these guarantees would “mirror article 5” of the Nato alliance. Earlier, US officials declined to give precise information regarding the probable makeup of the security package or the consequences if Moscow attempted to seize additional territory after a peace deal. Officials did confirm that the U.S. does not intend to deploy troops on the ground in the country. Heads of state from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and eight other European nations issued a joint statement that troops from a “coalition of the willing” could “help with the rebuilding of Ukrainian military capabilities, in protecting Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting maritime security, including through operating inside Ukraine.” However, they did not suggesting these measures would serve as assurances equivalent to NATO's Article 5. Furthermore, there is little sign that Moscow is near accepting the type of package being negotiated between the U.S. and Ukraine. Moscow's Stance and Territorial Dispute On Tuesday, the Russian government stated it had not seen the specifics of the proposals on security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, declared that the country would never accept troops from Nato countries operating in Ukrainian territory “no matter what.” The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and US negotiators remains the territorial question. One proposal centers on Ukraine relinquishing the areas of the Donbas it currently controls, while the Ukrainian side prefers to maintain the current front lines. “Talks continue on the land dispute. As is known, it is a central problem. At this point, there is no consensus on it yet,” the president remarked after the Berlin talks. American mediators, led by two senior advisors, has suggested a compromise solution. This framework would see Ukrainian forces pull back, but Russia would not advance, with the demilitarised area established as “a free economic zone.” Russia has indicated it could use internal security units instead of the military in such an area, suggesting it would still seek to control the territory. “Let me reiterate: a ‘free economic zone’ does not mean controlled by Moscow. Neither de jure nor de facto do we accept the Donbas region – its currently occupied areas – as Russian. Categorically,” stated Zelenskyy. Next Steps and Potential Outcomes The way ahead is uncertain how the two sides will proceed on the land question. The Ukrainian leader has earlier mentioned that a negotiated arrangement like a special economic area could be conceivable if the citizens of Ukraine voted for it in a referendum. The critical stumbling block is likely to be when the proposals are presented 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 precisely the situation we are encountering on our flight right now – turbulence,” said Zelenskyy, recording the comments as his aircraft departed from Berlin. “I am confident the United States will apply sanctions pressure and supply additional armaments if they reject the deal. In my view, that would be a reasonable expectation from Ukraine to the Americans,” he added.