The President of the United States, Donald Trump, said this on Monday The agreement to end Russia’s war in Ukraine is closer than everwhile several European leaders proposed a “multinational force” to ensure peace.
These optimistic statements came on the second day of talks in Berlin between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and American envoys to step up efforts to end the conflict.
“I think we’re closer now than ever before.”Trump told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, adding that he had had “very long, very good conversations” with Zelensky and other leaders, including those of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the secretary general of NATO.
European leaders proposed leading a force with support from the United States Part of “strong security guarantees” for Ukrainewith the aim of preventing Russia from violating an agreement to end the conflict, a joint statement said.
Zelensky, who met with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner in the German capital for the second day in a row, reported “real progress” on security guarantees.
However, he also pointed out that there were still differences regarding a possible transfer of territory. “There are complex issues, especially those related to the territories (…). “To be honest, we still have different positions,” Zelensky told reporters.
US security guarantees
Trump increased the pressure on Kyiv since he unveiled a 28-point plan in November to end the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
However, the project was criticized by Ukrainians and their allies as being too friendly towards Moscow.
The head of the federal government, Friedrich Merz, said on Monday that the recent talks offer a “real opportunity for a peace process”. Reuters photo
Since then, Kiev authorities put forward a counter-proposal and Zelensky said his country was ready to compromise on its desire to join NATO. as long as he received solid security guarantees in return.
German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz said on Monday that the recent talks offer a “real opportunity for a peace process” and praised the United States for it offer a “remarkable” package of security guarantees.
In their joint statement, European leaders – including those from the United Kingdom, France and Germany – outlined what they said were other points of consensus with U.S. officials.
The Ukrainian army should continue to receive widespread support and maintain a peacekeeping force of 800,000 soldiersthe document says.
Peace would also be maintained this way a “US-led ceasefire monitoring and review mechanism.”that would detect breaches and provide “early warning of future attacks.”
U.S. officials warned that Ukraine would have to agree to the deal, which they said would provide security guarantees very similar to NATO’s Article 5, which considers an attack on one ally to be an attack on all members.
“The foundation of this agreement is essentially really very strong guarantees – like those in Article 5 – and also very, very strong weapons deterrence,” one official said on condition of anonymity. “These guarantees won’t stay on the table forever.”he added.
Trump has already ruled out Ukraine’s formal entry into NATO and aligned himself with Moscow, citing Kiev’s aspirations to join the alliance as the reason for the Russian invasion.
Putin “wants territory”
Regarding the talks with the American side, Zelensky said that they were “never easy.” but that they were “productive.”
An official close to these negotiations told AFP that the US side continues to demand this Ukraine gives up control of Donbas – formed by the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk – a red line for Kiev.
Russia controls almost all of Luhansk and about 80% of Donetsksaid the Institute for the Study of War, based in the United States.
Russian President Vladimir Putin “wants territory,” this source stressed. “The Americans say Ukraine must withdraw, which Kiev refuses,” he added.
Trump described it as inevitable that Ukraine would have to cede territory to Russiaan unacceptable result for Zelensky after almost four years of war.
Russia indicated that it would insist on its fundamental demands, including on territory, and that Ukraine would never join the Atlantic Alliance.
Moscow was also previously against it to every European-led force in Ukraine to monitor compliance with a peace agreement.
The Kremlin said on Monday that it expects Washington to inform it of the results of the talks in Berlin.
The head of the federal government, Friedrich Merz, said on Monday that the recent talks offer a “real opportunity for a peace process”. Reuters photo
