By Gloria Ogbonna
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that proposals negotiated with U.S. officials aimed at ending Ukraine’s nearly four-year war with Russia could be finalized within days, raising cautious optimism that long-stalled peace efforts may be entering a decisive phase.
Once completed, the proposals would be presented by American envoys to the Kremlin, potentially paving the way for further high-level meetings, including possible talks in the United States as early as next weekend.
Speaking to reporters late Monday, Zelenskyy described a draft peace plan discussed during talks with U.S. representatives in Berlin earlier in the day as “very workable.”
While expressing guarded optimism, he emphasized that several critical issues remain unresolved, chief among them the fate of Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russian forces. Zelenskyy made clear that although progress is being made, the most sensitive and politically charged questions are still on the table.
U.S.-led diplomatic efforts appear to be gaining momentum after months of uncertainty, with American officials indicating that Ukraine and its European partners are broadly aligned with Washington’s proposed framework.
According to U.S. officials, there is agreement on roughly 90 percent of the U.S.-authored peace plan. President Donald Trump echoed that optimism, saying he believes the sides are closer to a peace settlement than at any previous point in the conflict.
Despite the positive signals, significant obstacles remain. Russian President Vladimir Putin may resist several key elements discussed by officials from the United States, Ukraine, and Western Europe, particularly proposals related to postwar security guarantees for Kyiv.
Such guarantees are viewed by Ukraine as essential to preventing future aggression, but they remain a sensitive issue for Moscow.
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s firm position that it will not recognize Russian control over any part of the Donbas region, an economically vital area in eastern Ukraine that includes the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
Although Russian forces occupy large portions of these areas, they do not fully control either region. Zelenskyy stressed that territorial integrity remains a red line for Kyiv.
“The Americans are trying to find a compromise,” Zelenskyy said, ahead of a visit to the Netherlands on Tuesday. He explained that one proposal under discussion involves the creation of a so-called “free economic zone” in the Donbas.
However, he was quick to clarify Ukraine’s stance, saying that such a zone would not imply Russian sovereignty. “A ‘free economic zone’ does not mean under the control of the Russian Federation,” he said, underscoring Kyiv’s rejection of any arrangement that legitimizes Russia’s territorial claims.
Territory remains the most difficult and contentious obstacle to a comprehensive peace agreement. Putin has repeatedly demanded that all areas seized by Russian forces in four key regions, along with the Crimean Peninsula—illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014—be formally recognized as Russian territory. Ukraine has consistently rejected those demands as unacceptable.
Zelenskyy warned that if Putin ultimately rejects diplomatic efforts, Kyiv expects a stronger response from its Western allies.
That response would likely include tougher sanctions on Moscow and increased military assistance to Ukraine. He said Ukraine would seek additional air defense systems and long-range weapons to bolster its defenses should negotiations collapse.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine and the United States are currently preparing up to five separate documents related to the emerging peace framework, several of which focus specifically on security arrangements. These documents are intended to clarify commitments, responsibilities, and enforcement mechanisms should an agreement be reached.
Reflecting on the Berlin talks, Zelenskyy struck an upbeat tone, highlighting what he described as a strong display of unity among Ukraine and its allies. “Overall, there was a demonstration of unity,” he said.
“It was truly positive in the sense that it reflected the unity of the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine.” While uncertainty still looms, the latest round of diplomacy suggests that serious efforts are underway to test whether a negotiated end to the war is within reach.
Source Breitbart
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