Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Monday that no consensus was reached on key territorial questions in the context of a potential peace settlement with Russia following two days of talks between Ukrainian, U.S., and European officials in Berlin, Germany, reports Baltimore Chronicle.
“On other issues, there is progress forward,” Zelenskyy commented in a group chat with Ukrainian journalists after the talks concluded.
U.S. administration officials indicated on Monday that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine may be closer than ever, telling reporters on condition of anonymity that “literally 90%” of the issues between the two countries have been resolved.
The recent discussions have focused on Ukraine’s demands for U.S.-backed security guarantees and the status of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions. Russia currently occupies Crimea, seized in 2014, and partially controls Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson in eastern and southern Ukraine. Moscow has proposed that Ukraine withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk, together forming the Donbas region, in exchange for an end to hostilities.
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s stance that it will not cede the Donbas region to Russia, emphasizing that any demilitarized or “free economic” zone there cannot fall under Russian control. “Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognize Donbas as Russian — the part that is temporarily occupied. Nevertheless, we are discussing the issue regarding the territories, and you know that it is one of the key ones,” he said.
The Ukrainian president also noted some progress regarding Western security guarantees, which Kyiv considers essential to deter future Russian aggression. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the legal and material guarantees proposed by the U.S. as “truly remarkable” and a significant step forward. Merz also suggested a Christmas truce between Ukraine and Russia, which Zelenskyy said he supports.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told ABC News on Monday that he believes both sides are “on the verge” of a diplomatic resolution. “We are prepared to have a deal,” he said, adding that he hopes it will be reached “sooner rather than later.”
Zelenskyy confirmed that further meetings are expected in the coming days, including discussions between American and Russian negotiators, with Ukrainian representatives possibly traveling to the U.S. for additional talks as soon as this weekend.
Despite ongoing negotiations, hostilities continued. On Monday and overnight into Tuesday, Russia launched drone strikes across Ukraine, while Ukraine reported an underwater drone attack on a Russian submarine docked in Novorossiysk. Ukraine’s Air Force stated that out of 69 drones launched by Russia overnight, 57 were intercepted, with ten strike drones impacting seven locations. Russia claimed to have downed 111 Ukrainian drones, including four over the Moscow region.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy addressed the Dutch parliament, emphasizing the intensity of current negotiations. “We are now in the midst of the most intense and focused negotiations for peace since the beginning of this war … For true lasting peace. We are not talking about a pause or a temporary, uncertain solution,” he said, urging accountability for Moscow’s actions. “Someone else is always expected to make concessions so that Russia will stop spreading bloodshed,” Zelenskyy added.
Earlier we wrote that Russia Reports Drone Strikes Over Moscow as Zelenskyy Prepares Peace Plan.
