Diplomatic Plans Ready for Presented to Russia In the Coming Days, States Zelenskyy

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

Negotiations in Berlin Produce Major Headway, With Critical Obstacles Remain

Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators reported on Monday that around “90%” of the disputed points between Russia and Ukraine had been settled. Despite this optimistic assessment, an actual conclusion to the conflict is not guaranteed, especially given Russia's absence from the current dialogue.

Early Tuesday morning, the Ukrainian president noted that the American legislature was anticipated to consider security guarantees and that a finalised set of documents might be ready “imminently.” Subsequently, the U.S. would hold consultations with Russian representatives, potentially followed by high-level meetings as soon as this coming weekend.

Defense Assurances and Allied Backing

“The plan involves five key agreements. Several pertain to binding security pledges: legally binding, that is, voted on and endorsed by the US Congress,” Zelenskyy remarked to journalists. He clarified that these assurances would “reflect article 5” of the Nato alliance.

Earlier, US officials declined to give precise information regarding the probable makeup of the defense package or what would happen if Moscow sought to capture additional territory following an agreement. Officials did confirm that the U.S. does not intend to place boots on the ground in the country.

Leaders from the UK, France, Germany and eight other European nations issued a joint statement that forces belonging to a “coalition of the willing” could “help with the rebuilding of Ukrainian military capabilities, in protecting Ukrainian airspace, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside Ukraine.”

They stopped short, however, of suggesting these actions would constitute guarantees equivalent to NATO's Article 5. Furthermore, 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

On Tuesday, the Kremlin stated it had not received the details of the proposals on security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, asserted that Russia would not agree to troops from Nato countries being stationed in Ukraine “no matter what.”

The main sticking point between the Ukrainian negotiators and US negotiators continues to be the issue of land. One proposal centers on Kyiv ceding the parts of the Donbas region it still holds, while Ukraine wants to freeze the lines. “We are discussing the land dispute. As is known, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no agreement on it yet,” the president remarked after the Berlin talks.

American mediators, led by two senior advisors, has proposed a compromise solution. Under this plan would see Ukrainian forces withdraw, but Russian troops would not move forward, with the resulting zone becoming “a free economic zone.” Moscow has suggested it could use police and national guard units rather than the military in such an area, suggesting it would still expect to maintain authority there.

“I want to stress once again: a ‘special economic zone’ does not mean under the control of Russia. Not legally or in practice do we accept Donbas – its currently occupied areas – as Russian. Absolutely,” said President Zelenskyy.

Path Forward and Possible Scenarios

The way ahead is uncertain how the two sides will resolve the land question. The Ukrainian leader has earlier mentioned that a negotiated arrangement like a free economic zone could be theoretically possible if the citizens of Ukraine voted for it in a referendum. The major impediment is likely to be when the proposals are presented to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has given no sign he is willing to compromise on his war aims.

“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 believe the United States will increase sanction pressure and supply additional armaments if he rejects everything. I think, that would be a reasonable expectation from Ukraine to the United States,” he added.