Ukraine and Allies Reach Consensus on Security Guarantees for Peace Proposal

Ukraine, the United States, and major European allies have reportedly reached consensus on 90 percent of a peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. According to The Hill, the negotiations took place over two and a half days in Berlin, where key figures, including U.S. officials and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, worked on a 20-point draft agreement.

While significant strides were made regarding security guarantees akin to NATO's Article 5, vital questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding territorial control in the Donbas region. Zelensky emphasized the importance of military guarantees, describing the talks as a solid first draft but warned against destructive elements in negotiations.

Discussions on territorial issues, including the potential for economic zones in contested areas, will likely require further bilateral negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. U.S. officials conveyed that the administration is exploring economic incentives for Russia to discourage future aggression, including potential use of frozen Russian assets for reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

The precise commitments from the U.S. regarding security guarantees are still under discussion, with the administration preparing to submit any final agreement to the Senate for approval, signaling a bipartisan commitment to Ukraine's defense.

However, U.S. officials expressed skepticism about Russia's willingness to accept NATO-like guarantees, given its historical opposition to Ukraine's NATO aspirations.