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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that proposals for a ceasefire agreement negotiated with US officials could be finalised in a matter of days. Afterward, U.S. representatives are expected to submit the documentation to the Russian leadership.

Negotiations in Berlin Produce Significant Progress, But Key Hurdles Remain

Following extensive talks in Berlin, US officials reported on Monday that approximately “90%” of the disputed points between Moscow and Kyiv had been resolved. Despite this optimistic assessment, the path to ending the conflict is not guaranteed, especially given the Russian absence from the ongoing discussions.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Zelenskyy noted that the American legislature was anticipated to vote on defense assurances and that a complete package of agreements might be ready “imminently.” He added that, the U.S. would hold consultations with Russian representatives, leading to high-level meetings as soon as this coming weekend.

Defense Assurances and International Support

“The plan involves five documents. Some of them concern security guarantees: legally binding, that is, approved and endorsed by the US Congress,” the president remarked to journalists. He clarified that these guarantees would “mirror the collective defense clause” of the Nato alliance.

Earlier, US officials did not provide precise information regarding the probable makeup of the defense package or what would happen if Russia sought to capture additional territory after a peace deal. They did, however, confirm that the United States does not intend to place boots on the ground in Ukraine.

Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and eight other European countries said in a unified declaration that troops from a “allied coalition” could “assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukrainian airspace, and in ensuring safer seas, including through conducting operations within Ukraine.”

They stopped short, however, of proposing these actions would serve as guarantees matching Nato’s article 5. In any case, there is scant indication that Russia is anywhere close to agreeing to the type of package being negotiated between Washington and Kyiv.

Moscow's Stance and Territorial Dispute

The following day, the Russian government said it had not received the details of the proposals on security guarantees. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergey Ryabkov, asserted that the country would not agree to troops from NATO member states operating in Ukraine “under any circumstances.”

The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and their American counterparts remains the territorial question. One proposal centers on Kyiv ceding the parts of the Donbas region it currently controls, while the Ukrainian side prefers to freeze the lines. “Talks continue on the territorial issue. You know, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no consensus on it yet,” the president said following the Berlin discussions.

The US negotiation team, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has suggested a compromise solution. This framework would see Ukrainian forces withdraw, but Russia would not advance, with the resulting zone becoming “an open economic area.” Russia has suggested it could use police and national guard units rather than the military in such an area, implying it would still seek to control the territory.

“I want to stress once again: a ‘free economic zone’ is not controlled by Russia. Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognise the Donbas region – its currently occupied areas – as Russian. Categorically,” stated President Zelenskyy.

Next Steps and Potential Outcomes

The way ahead is uncertain how Moscow and Kyiv will resolve the territorial issue. Zelenskyy has earlier mentioned that a negotiated arrangement such as a free economic zone could be conceivable if the citizens of Ukraine approved it in a referendum. The critical stumbling block is likely to be when the plans are put to Russian president Vladimir Putin, 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 flight right now – turbulence,” commented Zelenskyy, making the statement as his aircraft departed from Berlin.

“I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and supply additional armaments if they reject the deal. I think, that would be a reasonable expectation from us to the United States,” he added.