US officials, including Jared Kushner and US envoy Steve Witkoff, are in Berlin for critical discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. The meetings, scheduled for Monday, aim to advance negotiations for a peace deal to conclude the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The White House indicated it would only send officials to the talks if substantial progress had been made, signaling a potential shift towards a truce.
Stalled Negotiations and Territorial Disputes
Recently, discussions between the UK, France, Germany, and Ukraine that were set for March 16, 2024, in Paris were unexpectedly canceled, leaving many questions unanswered. Ukraine and European leaders submitted their revisions to Washington’s proposed peace plan this week. This draft, which leaked last month, suggested significant concessions from Ukraine, including ceding territory, renouncing NATO ambitions, and limiting military capabilities. Such terms have drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv.
The issue of territorial concessions remains the most contentious point in negotiations. President Vladimir Putin of Russia has demanded the entire Donbas region, which encompasses parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. Zelensky has labeled these demands as unacceptable, emphasizing the need for Ukrainian sovereignty in any agreement. Reports indicate that the US has proposed a “compromise vision” involving the withdrawal of both Ukrainian and Russian troops from eastern Donetsk, where Russian forces currently occupy around 80% of the territory.
Zelensky shared insights about the discussions, mentioning the concept of a “free economic zone” as proposed by the US, which contrasts with the Russian term “demilitarized zone.” He expressed concerns about the management and enforcement of such a zone, questioning how to ensure the withdrawal of Russian troops.
Security Assurances and Ongoing Conflict
The US aims for a comprehensive understanding of the peace plan by December 25, 2023. Zelensky emphasized that any territorial decisions must be made by the Ukrainian people, either through elections or a referendum. Discussions also included potential security guarantees, modeled after NATO’s Article 5, to reassure Ukraine without it formally joining the alliance. A French official confirmed that this is a serious consideration.
In a notable shift, President Trump announced earlier this week that the US is willing to provide security assurances for Ukraine, which he described as a necessary element in securing a peace deal. As diplomatic efforts unfold, violence continues in the region, marking this conflict as one of the deadliest since World War II.
Recent reports indicate that at least two individuals were killed in Russia’s southwestern Saratov region following a Ukrainian strike on a state-owned oil refinery. This facility, operated by Rosneft, has been repeatedly targeted in recent weeks. On the Ukrainian side, three people died in the contested Donetsk region, and approximately 400 residents were evacuated from frontline areas, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin via Telegram.
Additionally, Russian military actions have resulted in casualties across Ukraine, with drone attacks and missile strikes reported. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that over a million people were without electricity due to targeted assaults on energy infrastructure in Kyiv. Zelensky remarked on social media that the situation illustrates ongoing Russian aggression, emphasizing the need for continuous pressure on the aggressor to bring an end to the conflict.
