In a significant development aimed at ending the protracted conflict, the United States has agreed in principle to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. This breakthrough emerged from fresh discussions between American envoys and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin on Monday, as confirmed by US officials speaking anonymously to the Associated Press.
Narrowing Differences in Berlin
The high-level talks, involving US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, succeeded in bridging gaps on several critical issues. The discussions focused on the specific security assurances that Kyiv has been urgently seeking for its future. Simultaneously, negotiators addressed the contentious Russian demand for Ukraine to relinquish territory in the eastern Donbas region, which has been a major sticking point in previous negotiations.
According to the American side, approximately 90 per cent of the US-drafted peace framework has now found agreement among the parties involved. In a notable shift, officials also revealed that Russia has signalled a newfound openness to the possibility of Ukraine joining the European Union in the future, a key strategic concern for Moscow.
Ceasefire Demands and Senate Approval
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, commenting on the Berlin talks, underscored a unified position among Ukraine, the US, and European powers. He stated that any potential ceasefire must be underpinned by robust legal and material security guarantees to be viable and lasting. This reflects a consensus that a mere pause in fighting is insufficient without concrete assurances for Ukraine's sovereignty.
President Zelenskyy described the negotiations as substantial and productive but cautioned that differences persist, particularly regarding the status of occupied territories. Any formal security deal reached between the US and Ukraine would be subject to approval by the US Senate, adding a crucial legislative step to the process.
Ongoing Fighting and Next Steps
Despite the diplomatic momentum, violence continued on the ground. Ukraine reported a fresh wave of overnight Russian drone attacks targeting its infrastructure. Conversely, Russian defence authorities claimed they intercepted multiple Ukrainian drones, including several over the capital city of Moscow, highlighting the conflict's reach.
The diplomatic engagement is set to intensify. US President Donald Trump was scheduled to join negotiators and European leaders via a conference call during a dinner meeting on Monday evening. Further high-stakes talks are likely to be convened this weekend, potentially in Miami or another location within the United States, as the parties push for a final settlement to a war nearing its fourth year.
