Whitkov Discusses Progress in Talks with Ukraine

SadaNews - U.S. Special Envoy Steve Whitkov announced a "significant progress" in talks hosted in the German capital, Berlin, between senior officials from the United States and Ukraine, as part of efforts to reach a settlement to end the Russian war on Ukraine.

Whitkov stated in a post on X platform that the discussions were "thorough and comprehensive," covering a 20-point peace plan as well as economic files, emphasizing that the parties would meet again on Monday morning to continue the discussions.

Participating in the meeting, which lasted more than 5 hours, was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky along with delegations from the United States and Ukraine, and in the presence of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The nature of the next steps or specific proposals on the negotiating table remains unclear; however, the U.S. delegation expressed optimism about the possibility of building on what was achieved in the first round of talks.

Agreement and Reception

For his part, Ukrainian presidential advisor Dmytro Litvyn stated that both sides agreed to continue negotiations, noting that Zelensky would inform the public of developments during the day.

In the same context, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host several European leaders in Berlin this evening, as part of efforts to coordinate European positions regarding the proposed U.S. plan to end the war, amid fears of marginalizing the European role in any future security settlement.

Prior to the talks, Zelensky emphasized that Kyiv seeks a ceasefire based on freezing the current confrontation lines without making prior regional concessions rejected by Ukraine and its European allies - particularly in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine - considering them a "reward for the aggressor."

In other statements via email to U.S. Newsweek magazine on Saturday, Zelensky indicated he is prepared to abandon Ukraine’s long-standing demand to join NATO in exchange for security guarantees from allies such as the United States, according to a new report.

Zelensky added that Ukrainian officials are working to ensure that peace in Ukraine is dignified and to guarantee - above all - that Russia does not return to Ukraine to launch a third invasion.

In Moscow, Russian presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov, in response to a question for state television regarding the proposed Ukrainian amendments, stated he expects to present "strong objections," while noting that he has not reviewed them yet.

Zelensky reaffirmed his desire for European and American security guarantees to deter any future Russian attack, stating, "We want to be sure that war does not recur after the ceasefire."

He clarified that these guarantees are inspired by Article Five of the NATO Charter, without Ukraine joining the alliance, which he described as a "concession" from Kyiv.

Moves and Developments

These diplomatic moves come at a time when the war continues since its outbreak in February 2022, amid human losses estimated in the hundreds of thousands dead and injured, and increasing pressure to reach a political solution to the conflict.

On the ground, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated that Russian air defense units shot down a drone heading toward Moscow late last night.

Sobyanin added in a post on Telegram that emergency teams are examining the drone's debris at the site of its crash on the ground.

Ukrainian forces have been sending drones toward the Russian capital, and around 40 drones were shot down over the Moscow area within a few hours on one occasion last week.