Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that if Moscow refuses to accept the terms for ending hostilities worked out through negotiations with the US and Europe, it's time for Trump to move to serious pressure on Russia.
Speaking to media after negotiations in Berlin on 15 December, Zelenskyy outlined the diplomatic timeline ahead. "Today or tomorrow, we will finalize our documents. After that, I believe the United States will, in the coming days, hold consultations with the Russians, and then hold consultations with the President of the United States. After that, our teams will meet. I think our negotiating teams will meet in the United States in the near future – possibly even over the weekend. And then, after that meeting, we will see how things stand. We will consider a meeting at the leaders' level, in any event with the President of the United States."
Zelenskyy was asked what he thinks will happen when Ukraine, the US, and Europe finalize agreements and the Kremlin rejects them.
"If Putin rejects everything, we will end up with exactly what we are experiencing on our plane right now – turbulence. We are indeed experiencing it now," Zelenskyy said. "But it is not that severe compared to the war, of course, and compared to what happens if Putin destroys any diplomatic opportunities and willingness – on our side, on the European side, and on the American side."
He continued that in such a scenario, he considers it logical for the US to shift to hard pressure on Russia and expand assistance to Ukraine.
"I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and provide us with more weapons if he rejects everything. I think that would be a fair request from us to the Americans. Because, in my view, the logic is this: if the United States is ready to provide security guarantees to Ukraine and to apply strong guarantees if Putin violates the agreement, then tell me honestly – how is that different from a situation in which Putin does not want to end the war?" Zelenskyy said.
"I believe it would be a fair request from me as President, and from some European leaders as well: then give us at least part of those guarantees so that we can repel Putin – air defense, and long-range capabilities," he concluded.
During the briefing, Zelenskyy said that following the negotiations, five documents are to be formalized – some related to security guarantees, others to reconstruction. According to him, there has been "serious progress" on the security guarantees issue.
The president also emphasized that Ukraine will not agree to legal or de facto recognition of the occupied Donbas as Russian territory.
According to US media sources, Washington believes it has resolved "90% of the disagreements" between Ukraine and Russia.
Details of the negotiation framework
Zelenskyy also provided details about the Berlin talks, the first meeting in this format with the US team including Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and General Keith Grynkewich. "The path is certainly not easy, because the war is complicated, and the path will be too. That does not mean it will be long. The Americans want a swift resolution; we care about maintaining quality even at this pace. If speed and quality coincide, we are fully on board," he said.
The negotiations involve five documents covering security guarantees and reconstruction. The security guarantees must be legally binding and approved by US Congress, including an Article 5 equivalent mirroring NATO's collective defense provision. Reconstruction documents address internally displaced persons who lost housing, with costs estimated at 70-80 billion dollars, as well as compensation for families of fallen soldiers and infrastructure repairs.
"Regarding security guarantees, it is important that our military has discussed all the details – I mean, the US-Ukrainian team. And I believe we are very close to strong security guarantees. Certainly, we are people of war, and during war, we trust facts. So, theoretically, we can see good elements on paper today, but the facts – again, I emphasize and return to this – are the votes in the US Congress," he said.
Zelenskyy noted progress on the most difficult points of the 20-point framework agreement and said Europe was successfully brought into the process alongside the US. Together with European leaders, they spoke with President Trump about these steps, with another leader-level meeting expected once documents are finalized.
