Background on Key Figures and Context
The United States, under President Donald Trump, has been actively engaged in negotiations to end the Russian conflict in Ukraine. The key figures involved are:
- Donald Trump: President of the United States, who has been pushing for a peace agreement.
- Volodymyr Zelensky: President of Ukraine, who has been in talks with Trump’s emissaries in Berlin.
- Friedrich Merz: Chancellor of Germany, who has praised the U.S. for offering strong security guarantees.
- Vladimir Putin: President of Russia, whose demands for territorial control remain a significant obstacle to peace.
These leaders are crucial in shaping the future of Ukraine and its relationship with Russia, as well as the broader geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.
Negotiations and Proposed Solutions
Trump expressed optimism on Monday, stating that a peace agreement is closer than ever. Meanwhile, European leaders proposed a multinational force to ensure lasting peace.
During the second day of talks in Berlin, Zelensky met with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, reporting “real progress” on security guarantees.
However, Zelensky acknowledged that differences still exist regarding potential territorial concessions:
“There are complex issues, particularly those related to territories… To be honest, we still have differing positions,” Zelensky told the press.
U.S. Security Guarantees
Trump has increased pressure on Kiev since November, when he introduced a 28-point plan to end the war that began in February 2022 with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The proposal, however, was criticized by Ukraine and its allies for being too favorable to Moscow. In response, Ukrainian authorities presented a counterproposal, and Zelensky stated that Ukraine was willing to compromise on its desire to join NATO if it received strong security guarantees in return.
European Leaders’ Proposal
European leaders, including those from the UK, France, and Germany, proposed a multinational force with U.S. support to provide “solid security guarantees” for Ukraine, aiming to prevent Russia from violating any agreement to end the conflict.
According to their joint statement, this force would:
- Maintain Ukraine’s military with extensive support and a peacetime force of 800,000 soldiers.
- Establish a U.S.-led monitoring and verification mechanism for ceasefire compliance, providing early warnings of any future attacks.
U.S. officials emphasized that Ukraine must accept the agreement, which they claim would offer security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5.
“The foundation of that agreement is, essentially, having truly, truly strong guarantees -like Article 5- and also a very solid deterrence through armament,” said an anonymous U.S. official.
These guarantees, however, are not meant to be permanent, according to the official.
Trump’s Stance on Ukraine and NATO
Trump has already ruled out Ukraine’s formal entry into NATO and aligned with Moscow by characterizing Kiev’s aspirations to join the alliance as a reason for the Russian invasion.
Zelensky described the negotiations as challenging but productive. A source close to the talks informed AFP that the U.S. continues to demand that Ukraine cede control of the Donbas region—a red line for Kiev.
Russia currently controls almost all of Luhansk and around 80% of Donetsk, according to the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War.
“Putin wants territory,” emphasized the source. “The U.S. says Ukraine ‘should withdraw,’ which Kiev rejects,” the source added.
Russia has insisted on its fundamental demands, including territorial issues and Ukraine’s prohibition from joining NATO. Moscow has also opposed any European-led force in Ukraine to oversee the implementation of a peace agreement.
The Kremlin stated on Monday that it expects Washington to inform them of the outcomes from the Berlin talks.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the key figures in these negotiations? The main figures are U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- What are the proposed solutions for ending the conflict? European leaders have suggested a multinational force with U.S. support, while Trump believes a peace agreement is near.
- What are the main points of contention? Differences remain regarding potential territorial concessions, with Russia demanding control of the Donbas region.
- What security guarantees have been discussed? The U.S. has offered guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5, while European leaders propose a multinational force for lasting peace.
