Russian invasion Negotiations

Zelensky optimistic after meeting: Show of unity

A peace proposal negotiated with the United States could be presented to Russia in the coming days, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after recent talks in Berlin, AP reports.

Zelensky said the plan was “not perfect” but “very feasible.” He noted, however, that the question of what should happen to Ukrainian territories remains unresolved.

The president nevertheless seemed optimistic after the talks.

“Overall, it was a show of unity. It was really positive in the sense that it reflected the unity between the United States, Europe and Ukraine.”

Expert downplays hopes for peace: “I have a very hard time understanding what’s going on”

Russia will reject the majority of the European proposals put forward during this week’s Ukraine negotiations in Berlin, Danish military analyst Anders Puck Nielsen tells TV2.

He is particularly thinking of the ambition to have a “multinational force” in place in Ukraine as part of a future peace agreement. Puck Nielsen does not believe that this is something the Kremlin is willing to agree to.

– I have a very hard time understanding what’s going on. There are a few Western countries sitting around negotiating with each other without the other party in the war.

Negotiations in Berlin — that’s the point

• Several world leaders met in Berlin on December 15 to discuss peace between Ukraine and Russia, where security guarantees for Ukraine were the focus.
• The US has opened up to providing Ukraine with NATO-style security guarantees, but the issue of Donbas remained an unresolved issue after the meeting.
• European leaders agreed that an international force should be deployed in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire to strengthen the country's defense and security.
• Despite optimism from some quarters, several analysts noted that major differences of opinion remained, particularly over territorial issues and Russia's claims to Donbas.