Trump and Ukraine Negotiations: Why an Agreement with Russia Has Not Yet Been Reached

Negotiations between the USA and Ukraine

According to ХВИЛЯ: The negotiations between Donald Trump's special representatives and the Ukrainian and European delegations, which took place in Berlin on December 15, lasted nearly eight hours. Despite the fact that the parties are 90% close to an agreement between Ukraine and Russia, the final agreement has not yet been reached. The main issues that remain unresolved concern territorial control and the operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

During the negotiations, the US representatives developed security guarantees for Ukraine, similar to NATO Article 5. The key unresolved issue remains control over the territories, where, according to Volodymyr Zelensky, the positions of the parties are currently different. The American side pressured Ukraine to hand over the territories it controls in Donbas. The Ukrainian side, in turn, agrees to the 'standing firm' approach along the line of combat contact.

Discussed Ideas and Results

Among the discussed ideas was the notion of turning the occupied territories into a 'free economic zone'. There are also discrepancies regarding the operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Trump expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the negotiations, noting that if the parameters can be clearly defined, Russia and Ukraine will have to resolve the final issues of sovereignty themselves and understand whether an agreement between them is possible.

In conclusion, Ukrainian President Zelensky met with Trump's special envoys, and the meeting lasted nearly two hours. At the same time, German representative Friedrich Merz reported that the US is ready to assume legal obligations regarding security guarantees similar to NATO Article 5. The negotiations testify to the continuation of diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving stability in the region.

These negotiations underscore the importance of international diplomacy in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. A successful agreement could significantly impact regional security and relations between Ukraine and Russia. One can hope that further negotiations will lead to the resolution of the main remaining contradictions and create the foundations for stable peace.