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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that proposals for a ceasefire agreement developed with American diplomats could be finalised in a matter of days. Following this, U.S. representatives will present the documentation to the Kremlin.

Negotiations in Berlin Produce Significant Progress, But Key Hurdles Persist

Following extensive talks in Berlin, US officials indicated on Monday that around “90%” of the disputed points between Moscow and Kyiv had been resolved. Although the outlook appears positive, the path to ending the conflict is not guaranteed, especially given Russia's absence from the ongoing discussions.

Early Tuesday morning, Zelenskyy noted that the US Congress was anticipated to vote on defense assurances and that a complete package of documents could be prepared “today or tomorrow.” Subsequently, the United States would hold consultations with Russian representatives, leading to summit-level talks possibly this coming weekend.

Defense Assurances and International Support

“We are counting on five documents. Some of them concern binding security pledges: legally binding, that is, approved and approved by the US Congress,” Zelenskyy remarked to the press. He clarified that these assurances would “reflect article 5” of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Earlier, American representatives declined to give specific details regarding the likely contents of the security package or the consequences if Moscow sought to capture additional territory following an agreement. They did, however, confirm that the U.S. has no plans to place boots on the ground in the country.

Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and eight other European countries issued a joint statement that forces belonging to a “coalition of the willing” could “help with the rebuilding of Ukraine’s forces, in protecting Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting maritime security, including through conducting operations within Ukraine.”

They stopped short, however, of suggesting these actions would constitute guarantees matching NATO's Article 5. Furthermore, there is scant indication that Moscow is near accepting the kind of arrangement being negotiated between the U.S. and Ukraine.

Kremlin Response and Land Issue

The following day, the Kremlin stated it had not received the specifics of the proposals on security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, asserted that Russia would never accept troops from Nato countries operating in Ukrainian territory “no matter what.”

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 it still holds, while Ukraine prefers to freeze the lines. “Talks continue on the land dispute. You know, it is one of the key issues. Currently, there is no consensus on it yet,” Zelenskyy said following the Berlin discussions.

American mediators, headed by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has proposed a middle-ground proposal. Under this plan would see Ukrainian forces withdraw, but Russian troops would not move forward, with the demilitarised area established as “a free economic zone.” Moscow has suggested it could use internal security formations instead of the army in such an area, suggesting it would still seek to control the territory.

“Let me reiterate: a ‘special economic zone’ is not controlled by Russia. Neither de jure nor de facto do we accept Donbas – its temporarily occupied part – as belonging to Russia. Categorically,” said President Zelenskyy.

Path Forward and Potential Outcomes

It is not clear how the two sides will proceed on the land question. The Ukrainian leader has earlier mentioned that a negotiated arrangement such as a free economic zone might be conceivable if the citizens of Ukraine voted for it in a referendum. The critical stumbling block is expected to arise when the proposals are put to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who has given no sign he is prepared to concede on his military objectives.

“If Putin rejects everything, we will face exactly what we are encountering on our flight right now – turbulence,” said the president, recording the comments as his aircraft departed from Berlin.

“I am confident the United States will increase sanction pressure and supply more weapons if he rejects everything. I think, that would be a fair request from Ukraine to the Americans,” he concluded.