- December 16, 2025
- 11:56 am
- World News
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies announced significant progress in peace negotiations after the US offered Kyiv security guarantees comparable in logic to Article 5 of the NATO Charter. This was reported by Politico following consultations held in Berlin.
The discussion is not about formal membership in the Alliance, but about deterrence mechanisms that, according to the negotiators’ plan, should prevent a repeat invasion by Russia.
What Changed in the Berlin Negotiations
European leaders publicly outlined for the first time how security guarantees could work in practice. According to them, the discussed legal and material commitments could form the basis of a future peace agreement.
Zelensky called the American side’s proposals “very good,” while emphasizing that the most painful issues remain unresolved.
The paragraph is short — because this is a key caveat.
The Territorial Issue Remains Open
The President of Ukraine directly indicated that the issue of control over Donbas remains unresolved. According to Kyiv’s assessment, Russia is not ready to abandon its desire to hold the region, making any agreements vulnerable without strict security guarantees.
This is why Ukraine’s position remains unchanged: discussing the status of occupied territories is impossible without a clear package of guarantees that would deprive Moscow of the incentive for new military escalation.
Germany’s Position and the Role of the US
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the US proposals as “substantial” and “fundamentally new.” According to him, American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner presented a framework of guarantees that had not previously been featured in this form.
Merz noted that for the first time, Europe and the US are jointly ready to take on commitments comparable in spirit to Article 5 of NATO, as Zelensky had previously referenced.
Signals of an Approaching Resolution
Zelensky for the first time suggested that a resolution might be near.
According to him, before any changes on the battlefield, Ukraine must clearly understand what specific security guarantees will be in place. He separately noted that the very fact of discussing American guarantees, close to Article 5, is already progress.
Support from European Countries
The statement from Germany was joined by leaders from Denmark, Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Norway. In a joint document, they welcomed the “significant progress” and detailed the updated peace plan.
According to this document, the US and European countries commit to ensuring Ukraine’s future security and assisting in its economic recovery.
Military and Practical Elements of the Plan
Among the specific points is maintaining the strength of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the level of about 800,000 military personnel in peacetime.
Additionally, the forces of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” should:
— ensure the protection of Ukraine’s airspace;
— contribute to maritime security;
— participate in the development and strengthening of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including operations within the country.
The paragraph is longer — because this is where real mechanisms begin.
The Role of the US Without Troop Deployment
According to the discussed scheme, the US does not plan to deploy its troops in Ukraine. Instead, Washington takes on the functions of monitoring the ceasefire and early warning of possible future attacks.
It also provides for a legally binding obligation to respond to a new Russian attack. Such a response may include the military presence of allies, intelligence, and logistical support.
Economy and European Perspective
A separate block of proposals concerns the restoration of Ukraine and investments in its long-term development. The document also confirms the country’s course towards joining the European Union as part of the overall security architecture.
Temporary Window for Agreements
According to Politico, the American side indicates that the proposed guarantees may be time-limited. The White House, as noted, seeks to push the parties towards an agreement before Christmas.
A senior US representative stated that the discussed plan is based on “very strong guarantees, similar to Article 5,” but they will not remain on the negotiation table indefinitely.
Conclusion
Negotiations on Ukraine have moved out of the stagnation phase and for the first time approached the discussion of specific security guarantees, rather than abstract promises. However, key disagreements — primarily territorial — remain unresolved, and the temporary pressure from the US adds additional tension to the negotiations.
This balance between progress and risks currently defines the agenda, which is closely monitored by NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency, analyzing how new guarantee formats may affect the security of Europe and the Middle East.
