Zelensky Expresses Cautious Optimism Regarding Ukraine Peace Proposal
On Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine conveyed a careful and cautious optimism concerning suggested guarantees for Ukraine’s future security, as long as they are specific and validated by the U.S. Congress. However, he indicated that what might make these assurances acceptable to Ukraine could lead to their rejection by Russia. Mr. Zelensky made these remarks following two days of discussions on peace proposals with U.S. and European negotiators, who highlighted progress on Monday and advocated for what they referred to as a NATO-like security agreement. The Ukrainian leader recognized that the United States has made substantial strides in outlining the type of security guarantees it might provide Ukraine in any potential peace agreement, yet emphasized that crucial specifics remain to be finalized. Russia has not participated in this latest round of negotiations.
“You and I are individuals of war, and amid conflict, we rely on facts,” Mr. Zelensky stated during an interview shared on social media with Ukrainian journalists early Tuesday morning. These comments emerged as the Ukrainian leader departed Berlin after meetings that included representatives from the Trump administration, such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with European officials. Mr. Zelensky’s statements aimed at his fellow citizens were more tentative than his declarations in a press conference Monday evening alongside Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany. During that occasion, Mr. Zelensky—true to form—expressed gratitude to President Trump and his representatives for their attempts to establish peace in Ukraine and for striving to protect its future against further Russian incursions.
The Ukrainian president has maintained that security guarantees from both Europe and the United States are prerequisites for his nation to negotiate any territorial givebacks, with the guarantees and territorial boundaries emerging as the primary points of contention in the discussions. Mr. Zelensky characterized such exchanges as a “painful” compromise to which he has yet to consent. Russian President Vladimir V. Putin has demanded that Kyiv relinquish approximately 14 percent of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, which remains unconquered by Russia, a condition supported by Trump officials. American initiatives aimed at formulating a type of resolution, like designating the area as a demilitarized zone, have not persuaded Mr. Zelensky. He contends that even with a withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbas, Russian troops would remain, rendering such agreements unacceptable.
“There has been ample discussion regarding the territory,” Mr. Zelensky remarked at the Monday press conference in Berlin. “And honestly, it appears that we hold differing positions, but I believe my colleagues have grasped my personal viewpoint.” This is why he is pressingly demanding, with the backing of Europe, robust security guarantees. Yet, the more substantial those guarantees, the higher the likelihood that Russia will dismiss them as a foundational aspect of any ceasefire agreement. Moreover, a senior Ukrainian official, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of internal discussions, noted that considerable work remains to refine the guarantees to adequately satisfy Kyiv. European leaders expressed some hope after the Berlin discussions that Washington was acknowledging the concerns of Ukraine and Europe.
“For the first time, I heard from American negotiators that the U.S. would commit to security guarantees for Ukraine in a manner that leaves no doubt for the Russians that any aggression against Ukraine would trigger a military response,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden mentioned in a statement that security guarantees had become “more explicit and credible,” branding it an important advancement toward lasting peace. “However, numerous challenging questions persist, especially regarding territorial issues and whether Russia truly seeks peace,” he added. For instance, both Europeans and Americans concurred on the necessity of establishing a Europe-led and U.S.-supported postwar troop presence in Ukraine to “assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, secure Ukraine’s airspace, and promote safer seas, including through operations within Ukraine,” according to a joint European declaration issued late Monday.
However, Russia has continually opposed any settlement that permits the presence of NATO troops within Ukraine’s borders. Additionally, not all European nations are ready to deploy troops under any circumstances. On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei A. Ryabkov stated that Moscow is resistant to making territorial concessions in negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict, according to the state news agency Tass. Mr. Ryabkov was referring to the Donbas, along with Crimea and the segments of eastern Ukraine that Moscow designates as “Novorossiya,” or “New Russia,” Tass mentioned. In his statements, Mr. Ryabkov asserted that foreign military presence in Ukraine would be a red line for Moscow: “We remain open to discussing potential solutions. Nonetheless, under no circumstances are we willing to endorse, sanction, or even tolerate any NATO troop deployment on Ukrainian soil.” When questioned about the possible deployment of European forces in Ukraine outside of the NATO framework, Mr. Ryabkov reiterated, “No, no, and absolutely not.”
Mr. Zelensky harbors his own skepticism regarding whether the United States and Europe would genuinely engage in military conflict with Russia should a peace agreement collapse, considering their reluctance to intervene on behalf of Ukraine following the full-scale invasion in 2022. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful that “if Putin dismisses everything,” the United States would impose further sanctions on Moscow and supply Ukraine with additional weaponry to carry on the fight. Historically, Mr. Trump has oscillated between attributing blame to Mr. Zelensky for obstructing an agreement and criticizing Mr. Putin, and then shifting back. Ukrainians and Europeans have been working to transform an initial 28-point plan outlining peace established between Mr. Witkoff and a senior Russian official, Kirill Dmitriev, into an accepted proposal for Kyiv.
Valerie Hopkins contributed reporting from Berlin.
Published: 2025-12-16 13:27:00
source: www.nytimes.com
