US Touts ‘Article Five-Like’ Guarantees In Ukraine Peace Talks In Berlin | World News

Berlin peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war have made significant progress and a “very, very strong security package” including “Article Five-like security guarantees” has emerged as a key element of a potential deal, the United States said Monday.

The peace talks, held over two days in the German capital Berlin, included extensive meetings with the Ukrainian delegation, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as senior European leaders such as National Security Advisers, Secretaries of State and, in some cases, Heads of State, a senior administration official told reporters here.

“We spent the last two and a half days meeting with the Ukrainian delegation, including President Zelensky,” the senior U.S. administration official said, adding that the U.S. team spent “eight hours” directly with the Ukrainian President.

The official, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the discussions, said the talks were “really very positive in almost every respect.”

The official said that consensus had been reached on a number of issues considered “critical to reaching a peace agreement”, adding that “there have been very, very positive discussions around everything in the 20-point plan”.

Working groups were tasked with revising the proposals, including elements previously discussed with Russia, and European partners were closely involved throughout the process.

Security guarantees were identified as a central pillar of the talks.

The senior US administration official said the draft documents had moved quickly over the past 10 days through a working group that included the US, NATO and Ukraine, and that the text was now in “very good shape”.

“The basis of this agreement is to have really, really strong guarantees, basically like Article Five,” the official said, referring to NATO’s collective defense clause.

The package also includes “very, very strong deterrence,” “very, very strong deconfliction,” and “intensive monitoring,” and includes security measures designed to ensure “the chances of being called out are as low as possible.”

European partners expressed “very much appreciation” for US President Donald Trump’s willingness to offer such guarantees, according to the official.

But the official cautioned that “these guarantees will not be on the table forever,” adding that they “are available now if there is a well-arrived outcome.”

Asked whether the guarantees would require Congressional approval, the senior US administration official confirmed: “That would have to be submitted to the US Senate, and President Trump is willing to do that.”

The official said Ukrainians and Europeans were surprised both by the scope of the offer and by Washington’s belief that Russia could be persuaded to accept the offer.

Describing the package as unprecedented, the official said it was “the most robust set of security protocols they have ever seen” that includes surveillance, verification and conflict prevention mechanisms.

“Everything that we think needs to be addressed so that the Ukrainian people feel safe is included in this package,” the official said.

On the economic front, a senior official from the US administration said that the talks also focused on a “welfare package” that would support Ukraine’s long-term sustainability.

This includes the work of BlackRock CEO Larry Fink’s team, along with World Bank President Ajay Banga, working on a philanthropic basis to address Ukraine’s financial burdens, reconstruction needs and post-war recovery.

Ukraine faces significant obligations, including paying compensation to people affected by the war, supporting families of dead soldiers, maintaining a strong military and rebuilding damaged infrastructure, the official said.

The official added that European partners view Ukraine as “critical to their security” and have signaled strong financial support to ensure it is “fiscally viable and strong”.

The Zaporojye nuclear power plant was also discussed in the talks, and a senior US administration official said both sides want the facility to be repaired and made operational.

The official said the talks were close to agreement on a “50-50 split of forces”, which was described as a “good outcome”.

Regional issues remained sensitive but showed progress.

While the official stated that the talks explored options such as an economic free zone, he acknowledged that the final decisions on sovereignty would ultimately belong to Ukraine and Russia.

“We’ve narrowed them down,” he said, adding that a working group had prepared a draft on which “90 percent of the issues” showed consensus.

Looking ahead, the senior U.S. administration official said more talks would continue, including a dinner with leaders and possible follow-up meetings in the United States.

“Are we prepared to go to Russia if necessary? Absolutely,” the official said, adding that his goal was to help facilitate a “lasting and durable peace.”

Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022; This is Europe’s World War II. It triggered the largest conflict since World War II and led to extensive military and financial support to Kiev, as well as sweeping Western sanctions on Moscow.

Article 5 is NATO’s collective defense article and provides that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all members; This is a benchmark that Ukraine has long sought as part of its efforts for stronger Euro-Atlantic security ties, even though Moscow opposes NATO expansion.