The USA and Europe agreed on security guarantees for Ukraine: The Kremlin refuses.

According to ТСН: During peace talks in Berlin, representatives of the USA, Ukraine, and Europe discussed the issue of ensuring security for Ukraine as part of the upcoming peace agreement. However, the Kremlin steadfastly adheres to its position and refuses such initiatives.

This information is contained in a new report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Security Guarantees

Analysts note that two American officials told the New York Times about the agreements reached between the USA, Ukraine, and Europe regarding security guarantees 'similar to NATO'. It is important to note that the main part of the negotiations held on December 14-15 concerned these issues, but the details remain closed.

At the same time, the Kremlin continues to state that it will reject any peace agreements that include reliable security guarantees for Ukraine. American experts believe that Moscow is unlikely to agree to a settlement that ensures the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

“It is noteworthy that the Kremlin has actually refused to provide reliable security guarantees for Ukraine, as outlined in the proposed 28-point US peace plan,” the report states.

Territorial Issues

ISW specialists note that discussions regarding territorial issues continue. They emphasize that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin are likely to have to resolve these issues on their own.

Importantly, Putin has repeatedly refused to meet with Zelensky, especially during the preparations for the full-scale invasion and during several peace talks. ISW specialists emphasize that Russia has previously sought unacceptable territorial concessions from Ukraine, particularly regarding important defensive lines.

“Ukraine conceding its most valuable defensive line into the hands of the Kremlin will provide Russia with more advantageous positions to resume aggression against southwestern and central Ukraine in the future,” analysts from the Institute note.

Conclusions

ISW continues to assert that Russia will use both political and military tools to achieve its goals of capturing all of Ukraine. In this context, the Kremlin is unlikely to agree to a peace agreement or security guarantees that do not give it full control over Ukraine in the medium and long term, ISW analysts concluded.

According to information from AFP sources, during the negotiations in Berlin, the USA insisted on the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donbas, but Kyiv is resisting. Sources note that 'it is somewhat striking that the Americans are taking the Russians' position on this issue.'

Thus, despite attempts to reach peace agreements, the situation remains tense. The Kremlin continues to hinge security issues on Ukraine, and the success of peace negotiations depends on the parties' ability to find common ground to avoid large-scale escalations of the conflict.