Russian invasion Negotiations

Zelenskyj believes the US can make Russia give in

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj believes the US can make Russian President Vladimir Putin accept a peace deal. He told the New York Times after Sunday's meeting between Ukraine, the US and Germany in Berlin.

- If the US really wants to end this war - which they are showing today at a high level - I think the Russians will be forced to make compromises, Zelenskyj said.

Sunday's meeting lasted more than five hours, but few details about what was said have emerged. The meeting continues today and several European leaders, including Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), will join, writes TT.

Source: US insists Ukraine must give up Donbas

The US is firm in its decision that Ukraine must hand over control of all of Donbas to Russia in order to reach a peace agreement. This is stated by a source who has been informed of the ongoing negotiations in Berlin, reports AFP.

The source states that “Putin wants territory” and that the US is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from Donbas – something that Kyiv is not prepared to do.

– It is a bit remarkable that the Americans are taking the Russian side on this issue, says the source.

On Monday, the negotiations continue in Berlin and several European leaders are expected to join. Few details are known beyond what was said yesterday, but US envoy Steve Witkoff said that “significant progress” had been made.

Experts on Zelenskyj's NATO outburst: "Doesn't change anything"

The fact that Volodymyr Zelenskyj says he is ready to give up the demand for Ukrainian NATO membership will not affect the peace talks, two security experts say according to Reuters.

“This doesn’t change anything at all,” says Justin Logan, director of defense and foreign policy studies at the American think tank Cato Institute.

According to Logan, Zelensky’s statement should be interpreted as an “attempt to appear reasonable.” He adds that Ukrainian membership in NATO is not realistic in the foreseeable future anyway.

Andrew Michta, a professor of strategic studies at the University of Florida, calls Ukraine’s NATO membership a “non-issue” at this point.