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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that proposals for a ceasefire agreement developed with American diplomats are poised to be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, American envoys are expected to present the documentation to the Russian leadership.

Berlin Talks Yield Major Headway, With Critical Obstacles Remain

Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators indicated on Monday that around “90%” of the disputed points between Moscow and Kyiv had been resolved. Although the outlook appears positive, an actual conclusion to the conflict remains uncertain, especially given the Russian absence from the ongoing discussions.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that the US Congress was anticipated to consider security guarantees and that a complete package of agreements could be prepared “today or tomorrow.” He added that, the U.S. would engage in discussions with Moscow, leading to summit-level talks possibly this coming weekend.

Defense Assurances and International Support

“We are counting on five key agreements. Several pertain to security guarantees: legally binding, that is, approved and approved by the United States Congress,” Zelenskyy remarked to journalists. He clarified that these assurances would “mirror the collective defense clause” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Earlier, US officials did not provide precise information regarding the likely contents of the security package or what would happen if Russia sought to capture more land following an agreement. They did, however, confirm that the United States has no plans to deploy troops 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 forces belonging to a “coalition of the willing” could “help with the rebuilding of Ukrainian military capabilities, in securing Ukrainian airspace, and in ensuring safer seas, including through operating inside its territory.”

They stopped short, however, of proposing these measures would serve as guarantees matching 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.

Kremlin Response and Land Issue

The following day, the Russian government stated it had not received the details of the plans for security guarantees. Additionally, a senior Russian diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, asserted that Russia would not agree to troops from NATO member states operating in Ukrainian territory “under any circumstances.”

The primary obstacle between the Ukrainian team and US negotiators continues to be the territorial question. One proposal involves Kyiv relinquishing the parts of the Donbas region it currently controls, while Ukraine wants to freeze the lines. “Talks continue on the territorial issue. As is known, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no agreement on it yet,” the president said following the Berlin discussions.

American mediators, headed by two senior advisors, has proposed a middle-ground proposal. Under this plan would see Ukrainian forces withdraw, but Russian troops would not move forward, with the resulting zone becoming “a free economic zone.” Russia has suggested it could use police and national guard formations rather than the military in such an area, suggesting it would still seek to control the territory.

“I want to stress once again: a ‘special economic zone’ does not mean controlled by Russia. Neither de jure nor de facto do we accept the Donbas region – its currently occupied areas – as belonging to Russia. Categorically,” said President Zelenskyy.

Next Steps and Possible Scenarios

It is not clear 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 theoretically possible if the Ukrainian people approved it in a referendum. The major impediment is expected to arise when the plans are presented to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who has given no sign he is willing to compromise on his war aims.

“Should Russia refuse all proposals, we will face precisely the situation we are encountering on our plane right now – instability,” said the president, making the statement after his plane took off from Berlin.

“I am confident the United States will apply sanctions pressure and provide us with more weapons if they reject the deal. I think, that would be a fair request from us to the United States,” he concluded.