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Ukraine–Russia Peace Talks in Berlin Enter “Most Successful Stage Yet,” Say US Officials
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Talks in Berlin marked the most successful stage so far toward a potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, two senior US officials who spoke anonymously following more than two days of meetings with Ukrainian and European leaders, Suspilne reported on December 15.
US officials said the discussions produced what they described as real consensus on a number of important issues, following at least eight hours of direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. One official characterized the negotiations as broadly positive, noting that all points of a 20-point framework had been discussed.
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Security guarantees are at the core of the emerging proposal. US officials described them as unprecedented, including NATO Article 5-like commitments, extensive monitoring mechanisms, and measures aimed at deterring and preventing renewed war.
One official said the package represents the strongest set of security protocols Ukraine and Europe have seen, adding that it would be submitted to the US Senate if a final agreement is reached. At the same time, they warned the guarantees would be offered for a limited period and would not remain on the table indefinitely, according to Suspilne.
The talks also advanced plans for postwar recovery and economic reconstruction. US officials confirmed that BlackRock and the World Bank are working pro bono on financial aspects of Ukraine’s recovery, including the use of frozen Russian assets, reconstruction funding, compensation for war victims, and long-term economic sustainability. European governments have signaled strong financial backing.
According to US officials, roughly 90 percent of outstanding issues between Ukraine and Russia have now been resolved.
However, the territorial dispute remains at the center of negotiations. US officials indicated that Washington is open to considering a settlement that includes full Russian control over the Donbas region, a key Kremlin demand. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected any deal that involves ceding territory, stating that Ukraine will not agree to surrender land occupied by Russian forces.
US President Donald Trump is expected to hold phone calls with President Zelenskyy and European leaders today to discuss the status of the negotiations, Die Welt reported.
Previously, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is seeking legally binding security guarantees, including an “Article 5-like” commitment from the United States backed by Congress, as a compromise to prevent a renewed Russian attack.
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s original objective was NATO membership, which he described as “real security guarantees,” but noted that some partners in the United States and Europe did not support this course.
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