An agreement with Ukraine that could end Russia’s invasion is almost complete, according to the United States, with the U.S. and Europe offering Ukraine security guarantees.
U.S. and European officials have held two days of talks with Ukrainian negotiators in Berlin. These security guarantees would require countries like the U.S., France, and the United Kingdom “to take measures to restore peace and security in the case of a future armed attack”, European leaders said.
“We had numerous conversations with President [Vladimir] Putin of Russia, and I think we're closer now than we have been ever and we'll see what we can do,” U.S. President Donald Trump said of a potential peace deal.
The U.S. and ten European nations have also committed to helping Ukraine build up its armed forces to deter future conflicts. A Europe-led multinational group will assist in securing Ukraine’s airspace and sea areas, which will include operating inside Ukraine.
These European leaders said they “strongly support Ukraine’s accession to the European Union,” and alongside the U.S. will promote mutually beneficial trade agreements with Ukraine. The security guarantees will be legally binding once approved by the legislatures in each country.
Russia has not agreed to these terms, and was not part of the Berlin talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would ask the U.S. to further sanction Russia and provide more arms to Ukraine if Russia rejects these proposals
While Russia is open to Ukraine joining the European Union, U.S. officials reportedly said, it continues to oppose Ukrainian membership in NATO. Zelenskyy offered to drop Ukraine’s goal of joining NATO ahead of the Berlin talks.
The U.S., Europe, and Ukraine also have yet to agree on potential territorial concessions. Russia has called for Ukraine to cede territory in the Donbas region, including land Ukraine currently controls, which Ukraine has said it will not do.
Under the U.S.’ suggestion for an “economic free zone” in the eastern Donbas, Ukrainian forces would withdraw from the region, while Russian forces would not. Zelenskyy has opposed this.
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