US officials, including Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, arrived in Berlin on December 25, 2023, for critical discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. The meetings aim to advance a peace deal to conclude the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has resulted in significant casualties and displacement.
Negotiations Amidst Tensions
The White House indicated that the delegation’s participation in these talks hinged on meaningful progress in peace negotiations. This visit follows a recent draft peace plan that sparked controversy due to its perceived concessions to Russia, which included Ukraine ceding territory and renouncing its NATO ambitions. The proposal faced backlash for suggesting limits on Ukraine’s military size.
Scheduled discussions involving leaders from the UK, France, Germany, and Ukraine were unexpectedly canceled in Paris, raising questions about the current status of diplomatic efforts. The ongoing tension regarding territorial concessions remains a primary obstacle, with Russian President Vladimir Putin demanding control over the resource-rich Donbas region, which includes parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. Zelensky has firmly rejected these demands, labeling them unacceptable.
Zelensky noted that the US has proposed a “compromise vision” that would facilitate the withdrawal of both Ukrainian and Russian troops from eastern Donetsk, where Russian forces currently occupy approximately 80% of the region. He remarked, “They discussed the issue of a ‘free economic zone.’ The Americans call it that, while the Russians refer to it as a ‘demilitarized zone.’” Uncertainties linger regarding the governance and security of such a zone, especially concerning the withdrawal of Russian troops.
Seeking Assurance Amid Ongoing Conflict
The US aims to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the peace plan by the end of December, according to Zelensky. Any decisions regarding territorial adjustments must come directly from the Ukrainian people, either through elections or a referendum, he emphasized.
On the security front, discussions have emerged about a potential NATO Article 5-style clause involving the US, designed to provide assurances to Ukraine should it face another Russian offensive, despite not formally joining the alliance. In a notable shift, President Trump expressed the US’s readiness to offer security guarantees for Ukraine, indicating that such measures might be essential to finalize a peace agreement.
As diplomatic efforts unfold, violence continues to escalate in Ukraine. Recent reports indicated that at least two Russian nationals were killed in the Saratov region following a Ukrainian strike on a Russian oil refinery owned by Rosneft. The refinery has been a target in multiple attacks over recent weeks.
In Ukraine, three fatalities were reported overnight in the contested Donetsk region, along with nearly 400 individuals evacuated from frontline areas. The conflict’s toll has also resulted in 35 additional injuries across the country, as Russian forces launched 450 drone strikes and 30 missiles. Key regions in Kyiv experienced power outages due to targeted attacks on the city’s energy infrastructure, leaving over a million residents without electricity.
President Zelensky condemned the continued assaults, 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 highlighted the urgent need for increased pressure on the aggressor to cease hostilities and restore peace.
As the world watches closely, the outcome of this high-stakes dialogue could significantly influence the future of Ukraine and its aspirations for peace.