A delegation from the United States, including Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin on Monday. This high-stakes meeting aims to advance discussions surrounding a peace deal to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The White House indicated that its officials would only participate if significant progress had been made, suggesting that this visit could represent a critical step towards achieving a truce.
The backdrop to these discussions includes a canceled meeting in Paris involving leaders from the UK, France, Germany, and Ukraine, which was scheduled for Saturday. No official explanation was provided for the cancellation, and reports had previously suggested uncertainty regarding the U.S. delegation’s attendance at the Paris talks.
Ukrainian and European leaders recently submitted their revisions to a proposed peace plan from Washington. This draft, which leaked last month, faced criticism for appearing to favor Russian interests by requiring Ukraine to cede territory and limit its military capabilities. The most contentious issue remains territorial concessions, particularly concerning the Donbas region, which Russian President Vladimir Putin demands in full. This includes areas of Donetsk and Luhansk that have eluded capture over nearly four years of conflict. President Zelensky has firmly rejected these demands, calling them unacceptable.
During the talks, Zelensky indicated that the U.S. had proposed a “compromise vision” involving the withdrawal of both Ukrainian and Russian troops from eastern Donetsk, where Russian forces currently control about 80% of the territory. Zelensky noted the complexities surrounding the establishment of a “free economic zone,” which is termed a “demilitarized zone” by Russian officials. Key questions remain regarding the management and security of such an area, particularly whether Russian troops would genuinely withdraw.
The urgency of reaching an agreement has heightened, with Zelensky emphasizing the need for a “full understanding” of the peace plan by December 2023. However, he insisted that any decisions regarding territorial integrity must be made by the Ukrainian people, potentially through elections or a referendum.
In terms of security guarantees, discussions are underway regarding a NATO-style clause that would involve the U.S. providing assurances to Ukraine without the country formally joining the alliance. A French official confirmed this potential development to Reuters.
The situation remains precarious, as violence continues unabated in Ukraine. In the latest developments, at least two Russians were reported killed in the southwestern Saratov region following a Ukrainian attack on a Russian oil refinery. This facility, owned by the state oil company Rosneft, has been a target of Ukrainian operations in recent weeks.
In Ukraine, three individuals lost their lives in the contested Donetsk region as approximately 400 residents were evacuated from frontline areas, according to regional Governor Vadym Filashkin. The ongoing conflict saw another 35 individuals injured as Russia launched over 450 drone strikes and 30 missile attacks.
The situation in Kyiv deteriorated further, with significant portions of the city losing power following Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that more than one million people were without electricity as of Saturday.
President Zelensky highlighted the ongoing threat posed by Russian aggression, stating, “It is important that everyone now sees what Russia is doing – every step they take in terror against our people, all their attacks, for this is clearly not about ending the war.” He underscored the need for continued pressure on Russia to halt its military actions and cease hostilities.
As the diplomatic efforts unfold in Berlin, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges, with the international community keenly observing the outcomes of these critical discussions.
