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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that a framework for a peace deal negotiated with US officials could be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, U.S. representatives will submit the documentation to the Russian leadership.

Berlin Talks Yield Significant Progress, With Critical Obstacles Remain

Following extensive talks in Berlin, US officials reported on Monday that approximately “90%” of the disputed points between Russia and Ukraine had been resolved. Although the outlook appears positive, an actual conclusion to the war remains uncertain, particularly because Russia's absence from the current dialogue.

Early Tuesday morning, Zelenskyy said that the US Congress was anticipated to consider defense assurances 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 as soon as this coming weekend.

Security Guarantees and International Support

“The plan involves five documents. Several pertain to binding security pledges: formally ratified, that is, approved and approved by the US Congress,” the president commented to the press. He clarified that these assurances would “mirror article 5” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Earlier, American representatives declined to give precise information regarding the probable makeup of the security package or the consequences if Russia attempted to seize additional territory following an agreement. Officials did confirm that the U.S. has no plans 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 forces belonging to a “coalition of the willing” could “assist in the rebuilding of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukraine’s skies, and in ensuring maritime security, potentially by operating inside its territory.”

However, they did not proposing these measures would constitute guarantees equivalent to Nato’s article 5. In any case, there is little sign that Moscow is anywhere close to accepting the kind of arrangement being negotiated between the U.S. and Ukraine.

Moscow's Stance and Land Issue

On Tuesday, the Russian government stated it had not seen the details of the plans for security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergey Ryabkov, asserted that Russia would never accept forces of NATO member states being stationed in Ukrainian territory “under any circumstances.”

The main sticking point between the Ukrainian team and their American counterparts remains the issue of land. A key demand involves Kyiv relinquishing the parts of the Donbas it still holds, while Ukraine prefers to freeze the lines. “We are discussing the land dispute. You know, it is one of the key issues. At this point, there is no agreement on it yet,” the president remarked after the Berlin talks.

American mediators, headed by two senior advisors, has proposed a middle-ground proposal. Under this plan would see Ukrainian forces pull back, but Russia would not advance, with the resulting zone established as “an open economic area.” Russia has indicated it could use internal security formations rather than the military in such an area, suggesting it would still expect to maintain authority there.

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

Next Steps and Potential Outcomes

It is not clear how the two sides will proceed on the land question. Zelenskyy has earlier mentioned that a compromise solution such as a free economic zone could be theoretically possible if the Ukrainian people voted for it in a referendum. The critical stumbling block is expected to arise when the proposals 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 end up with precisely the situation we are encountering on our flight right now – instability,” commented the president, making the statement after his plane took off from Berlin.

“I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and provide us with additional armaments if he rejects everything. In my view, that would be a fair request from us to the United States,” he added.