Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky now has precedent against him. He reiterated the fantastic teamwork that has existed between the two countries on papers geared to stopping the current war with Russia. Zelensky claimed that such negotiations would be able to ensure Ukraine’s security and lead to cessation of war. The negotiations are plagued by deep and serious divisions. Key sticking points involve patrolling a potential demilitarized zone and deciding the fate of the heavily Russian-influenced, contested Donbas region.
At the talks, Zelensky reminded world leaders that Ukraine is looking for a long-lasting peace deal not a mere ceasefire. He stated, “We want peace; we don’t want a truce to give Ukraine a breathing space and prepare for the continuation of the war.” President’s remarks reflect deep dedication and he continues to work to make sure that whatever final settlement is achieved will give Ukraine and its European neighbors security well beyond the current crisis.
Key Components of the Negotiations
Zelensky announced that five individual documents are still being discussed as part of the proposed peace deal. These provisions include the notion of “legally binding” security guarantees which would be subject to a vote from the US Congress. The combined emphasis on security is critically important, particularly as Ukraine seeks to secure its statehood and sovereignty, and to proactively deter any future aggression from Russia.
American officials described the proposed security guarantees as close to “Article 5.” This response illustrates the NATO mutual defense principle that an attack against one member is an attack against all members. This assurance is crucial for Ukraine, as Zelensky noted, “Before we leave the battlefield, we have to be absolutely sure what these security guarantees are.”
These talks helped define what future cooperation would look like—including the establishment and maintenance of a possible demilitarized zone. Initially, the US negotiating team proposed such a plan. Ukraine would have to pull its military out of the zone, but they need to guarantee that Russian soldiers do not come in. There were key sticking points as well, including Zelensky’s insistence that an international body should govern this zone and a call for reciprocal troop withdrawals.
“The Americans are trying to find a compromise… I want to stress once again: a ‘free economic zone’ does not mean under the control of the Russian Federation. These are essential features for me in any format regarding Donbas,” – Volodymyr Zelensky
Challenges Surrounding the Donbas Region
Yet the negotiations have come to one great impasse, the fate of Ukraine’s Donbas region. Russia continues to demand that Kyiv surrender it for any peace deal to take place. US officials have suggested “thought-provoking” ideas to resolve this impasse, including establishing a free economic zone in parts of the Donbas.
Zelensky also strongly reemphasized Ukraine’s position on the Donbas area. He even announced that Ukraine will not acknowledge any of it as legally or de-facto Russian. He emphasized the importance of maintaining control over Ukrainian territories, asserting that every detail in the negotiations matters: “Every single detail matters because not a single detail must become a reward for Russia’s aggression.”
The complexities surrounding the Donbas region highlight the delicate nature of the negotiations and the differing priorities between Ukraine and Russia. The rhetoric of peace on both sides has masked deep divisions in approach and understanding.
International Support and Future Prospects
European leaders have played a role in building support for firm, long-term security guarantees and economic recovery support packages for Ukraine. These discussions are intended to coordinate actions with the U.S. to strengthen Ukraine’s defensive capabilities and support Ukraine’s recovery after the war ends.
Zelensky expressed cautious optimism about the ongoing discussions, stating, “I think we’re closer now than we have been, ever, and we’ll see what we can do.” He acknowledged the difficulties inherent in reaching a satisfactory resolution: “Things are seemingly going well, but we’ve been saying that for a long time, and it’s a difficult one.”
Former US President Donald Trump took notice as well. He recognized the desire on all sides to stop the fighting, but cautioned that a path to an agreement would not be easy. He stated, “The problem is they’ll [Russia] want to get it ended, and then all of a sudden they won’t, and Ukraine will want to get it ended, and all of a sudden they won’t.”
