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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that proposals for a peace deal negotiated with US officials could be completed in a matter of days. Afterward, U.S. representatives are expected to submit the documentation to the Russian leadership.

Berlin Talks Yield Major Headway, With Critical Obstacles Persist

Following extensive talks in Berlin, American negotiators indicated on Monday that approximately “90%” of the disputed points between Russia and Ukraine had been resolved. Although the outlook appears positive, the path to ending the war remains uncertain, particularly because the Russian absence from the current dialogue.

In the early hours of Tuesday, the Ukrainian president said that the US Congress is expected to consider security guarantees and that a complete package of documents might be ready “imminently.” He added that, the U.S. would hold consultations with Moscow, leading to summit-level talks as soon as this weekend.

Defense Assurances and Allied Backing

“The plan involves five documents. Several pertain to binding security pledges: formally ratified, 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 Nato alliance.

On Monday, American representatives declined to give precise information regarding the probable makeup of the security package or what would happen if Russia attempted to seize 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.

Heads of state from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and several additional European countries said in a unified declaration that troops from a “coalition of the willing” could “help with the regeneration of Ukrainian military capabilities, in protecting Ukrainian airspace, and in supporting maritime security, potentially by operating inside Ukraine.”

However, they did not suggesting these actions would constitute guarantees equivalent to NATO's Article 5. In any case, there is little sign that Russia is anywhere close to agreeing to the type of package under discussion between Washington and Kyiv.

Moscow's Stance and Territorial Dispute

On Tuesday, the Kremlin said it had not seen the specifics of the proposals on security guarantees. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergey Ryabkov, asserted that Russia would not agree to forces of NATO member states being stationed in Ukrainian territory “under any circumstances.”

The primary obstacle between the Ukrainian negotiators and their American counterparts continues to be the territorial question. One proposal centers on Kyiv relinquishing the parts of the Donbas it currently controls, while Ukraine wants to freeze the lines. “Talks continue on the land dispute. As is known, it is a central problem. At this point, there is no consensus on it yet,” Zelenskyy remarked following the Berlin discussions.

The US negotiation team, headed by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has proposed a compromise solution. This framework would see Ukraine pull back, but Russian troops would not advance, with the demilitarised area becoming “an open economic area.” Russia has indicated 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 ‘free economic zone’ does not mean under the control of Moscow. Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognise the Donbas region – its temporarily occupied part – as Russian. Categorically,” said President Zelenskyy.

Path Forward and Possible Scenarios

It is not clear how Moscow and Kyiv will proceed on the land question. Zelenskyy has earlier mentioned that a compromise solution like a free economic zone could be conceivable if the Ukrainian people voted for it in a national vote. The major impediment is likely to be when the plans are put to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who has shown no indication he is prepared to concede on his military objectives.

“Should Russia refuse all proposals, we will face exactly what we are experiencing on our plane right now – turbulence,” commented the president, making the statement after his plane departed from Berlin.

“I am confident the United States will increase sanction pressure and provide us with additional armaments if he rejects everything. In my view, that would be a reasonable expectation from us to the United States,” he added.