Peace Deal Nearing? Zelenskiy Says US Ready to Make “Official Guarantees”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had reached a preliminary agreement with the United States to make security guarantees for Ukraine legally binding through a vote in the US Congress, as part of efforts to end the war with Russia. This statement comes after reports that the US offered strong protections “similar to NATO Article 5” in the latest negotiations, although full details have not been disclosed.
After two days of talks in Berlin involving Ukraine, the US, and European countries, the mood was considered quite optimistic. Zelenskiy said attention would now likely shift to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s response. He also said Ukraine could resume negotiations with the US this weekend, and he might meet with President Donald Trump as the draft agreement nears completion.
Zelenskiy emphasized that before taking any steps, the Ukrainian people and military need to clearly understand what security guarantees will actually be provided. Meanwhile, Trump declared a negotiated settlement “closer than ever” and that the US was working with Europe, although he also raised the possibility that Ukraine would have to give up some territory—a matter Zelenskiy said was still undecided and had never been put to a referendum.
From the European side, the leaders of the 10 nations gathered in Berlin pledged to send a multinational force once peace was reached to help rebuild Ukraine’s military and protect its airspace and seas. They also discussed a monitoring mechanism for the US-led ceasefire, as well as plans for Ukraine’s peacetime military strength. However, major obstacles remain: Putin has not appeared willing to compromise on territorial demands, and Russia also opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine. (az)
Source: Newsmaker.id
