The US has said it is ready to offer Ukraine Nato-like security guarantees. This is to safeguard an eventual ceasefire. This readiness follows talks in Berlin with European officials and a delegation from Kyiv.
The “very strong” guarantees would be modelled on Nato’s Article 5 clause of mutual protection. US officials expressed hope that the Russians would agree to them.
US officials talked up progress towards ending the war. However, there was little detail on how Ukraine’s thorny issue of sovereignty would be resolved in any peace deal.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky described the meeting as “productive” but not easy.
He added that Kyiv needed a clear understanding of security guarantees. This clarity is necessary before it could make any decisions about other contentious issues.
Ukraine has long argued it needs watertight guarantees. These guarantees are necessary to ensure that Russia respects any ceasefire. They would also prevent Russia from attacking the country again.
US officials described the security guarantees on offer as the “platinum standard”. They cautioned that the deal “would not be on the table forever”.
On Sunday, Zelensky signalled for the first time that he would consider a “compromise.” He would give up ambitions to join Nato in exchange for strong guarantees.
There appears to be significant movement on the issue of security. However, the eastern region of the Donbas remains a major sticking point.
The US is now suggesting an “economic-free zone” could be established in the contested part of the Donbas. However, this would require Ukraine to accept withdrawing from the areas it still holds. Russia would not be expected to do the same.
“It seems to me that [the US and Ukraine] so far have different positions, to be honest,” Zelensky said.
US officials said the economic free zone needs to be defined. “Then it will really be up to the parties to work out the final issues of sovereignty.”
But Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on the issue of the Donbas. Russia mostly occupies the region. It wants Kyiv to hand it over in its entirety. Ukraine is staunchly refusing to do so.
The US officials said Washington was now willing to submit a security package for Senate ratification.
US President Donald Trump spoke from the White House. He said he had talked to Zelensky and European leaders. He described it as a “very good talk”.
“I think we’re closer now than we have been, ever,” he said, referring to reaching a peace deal.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted the discussions. He struck a similar tone earlier on Monday. Merz said, “This is the first time a ceasefire is conceivable.”
“It’s a huge progress which I welcome very much,” he said, describing Washington’s security guarantees as “remarkable”.
Several European leaders will join further talks with the Ukrainian and US delegations on Monday evening. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also participate.
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