Outline of NATO Article 5-Style Security Guarantees
Demand for Donbas Withdrawal... Ukraine Refuses
Russia: "EU Membership Possible... No NATO Presence"
The United States and Ukraine made progress on security guarantees during two days of ceasefire negotiations. However, as both sides remain firm on territorial issues, there are growing concerns that an early end to the Russia-Ukraine war remains uncertain.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is holding a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on the 15th (local time). Photo by AP Yonhap News
Consensus on Security Guarantees... Trump Remains Optimistic
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated at a press conference in Berlin, Germany, on the 15th (local time) that there had been progress regarding security guarantees, saying, "I have reviewed the details the military is working on. It's still a draft, but it looks good."
A U.S. official also said during an online briefing that security guarantees were a major agenda item in these negotiations, and that Ukraine would receive security guarantees similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Charter. Article 5 of the NATO Charter is a collective defense clause, which stipulates that an attack on one member state is considered an attack on the entire alliance, and all members will defend together.
Previously, President Zelensky had stated that Ukraine could forgo joining NATO if strong security guarantees from the United States and Europe were provided during these negotiations.
European leaders also announced in a joint statement released in Berlin that they would cooperate with the United States to provide "strong security guarantees." The statement included a plan to deploy a European-led multinational peacekeeping force in Ukraine, with support from the United States.
However, U.S. officials clarified that these security guarantees would not be maintained indefinitely. The Donald Trump administration plans to submit the relevant agreement to the U.S. Senate for approval.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine, saying, "I believe we are closer to a ceasefire now than ever before." At a White House ceremony for awarding the Mexico Border Defense Medal, President Trump said regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, "We are getting closer and closer to a ceasefire. We are receiving tremendous support from European leaders. They also want this war to end."
He added, "At present, Russia also wants to end the war, but the problem is that sometimes they want to end it and then suddenly change their minds, and Ukraine does the same. Therefore, we need to align the positions of both sides," and continued, "However, I believe the dialogue is progressing very well."
Ukraine Maintains Opposition to Russian Demand for Withdrawal from Donetsk
The Associated Press reported that the method of guaranteeing Ukraine's security after the war and the issue of occupied territories remain the biggest challenges. President Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that Western security guarantees must be legally binding and have the support of the U.S. Congress. In contrast, Russia maintains that it will never accept the presence of NATO troops stationed in Ukraine.
A U.S. official also stated, "Russia has suggested that it may be open to Ukraine joining the European Union (EU) in the final agreement." While Russia sees Ukraine's push to join NATO as the fundamental cause of this war, it has not raised objections to Ukraine joining the EU.
However, Ukraine continues to oppose territorial concessions demanded by the United States. Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donetsk region as a condition for peace.
Regarding this, President Zelensky said, "There has been sufficient dialogue on territorial issues, and frankly, I believe our positions are still different."
According to Agence France-Presse, citing sources, the United States has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas region, but Ukraine continues to reject this demand.
Since launching the war in February 2022, Russia has occupied most of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and is demanding the surrender of the remaining areas. Previously, the United States proposed that Ukraine withdraw from Donbas and establish a demilitarized economic free zone, but Ukraine maintains that it cannot cede territory and must hold the current front line.
From December 14, the U.S. delegation, including Steve Witkoff, special envoy for President Trump, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, held negotiations in Berlin, Germany, with President Zelensky and the Ukrainian side over two days. President Zelensky is also scheduled to continue discussing the ceasefire plan with European leaders at a dinner in Berlin this evening.
Armed Clashes Continue During Ceasefire Talks... Ukraine Claims Strike on Russian Submarine
The war continues. According to the Associated Press, the Ukrainian Air Force announced that Russia launched 153 drones from the previous night through the day, and that 133 of them were shot down. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that it shot down 130 Ukrainian drones, including 18 intercepted over Moscow. The scale of civilian casualties has not yet been confirmed.
Ukraine also announced that it used an underwater drone for the first time at the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk to strike and disable a Russian Kilo-class submarine, while Russia denied any damage. This attack took place as both sides sought to demonstrate military achievements to strengthen their negotiating positions amid U.S.-mediated ceasefire talks.
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