Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said proposals being negotiated with U.S. officials for a deal to end Russia’s nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine could be finalized within days. Once completed, American envoys will present the draft to the Kremlin before possible follow-up meetings in the U.S. next weekend.
Zelenskyy described the draft discussed during Berlin talks as “not perfect but very workable”, emphasizing that some key issues remain unresolved, particularly the fate of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces.
While U.S.-led peace efforts appear to be gaining momentum, the focus now shifts to Moscow, where President Vladimir Putin may resist certain proposals outlined by officials from Washington, Kyiv, and Western Europe. These include postwar security guarantees for Ukraine.
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After the Berlin discussions, Zelenskyy noted, “We are very close to strong security guarantees.” A NATO official speaking on condition of anonymity explained that the plan involves Western support to maintain a strong Ukrainian army.
“Europeans will lead a multinational, multi-domain force to strengthen troops and secure Ukraine by land, sea, and air, while the U.S. will oversee a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism with international participation,” the official added.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia seeks a comprehensive peace deal, not a temporary truce. “If Ukraine seeks momentary, unsustainable solutions, we are unlikely to participate. We want peace, not a ceasefire that allows Ukraine to prepare for continued war,” he said.
U.S. officials stated that there is approximately 90% consensus among Ukraine and Europe on the U.S.-authored draft. Former U.S. President Donald Trump commented that “we are closer now than ever” to a peace settlement.
