Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
European leaders announced on Monday that they have reached an understanding with the United States on providing security guarantees to Ukraine, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to stabilize the country and deter future aggression as the war with Russia approaches its fourth year.
In the final statement issued after the Berlin meeting, European leaders said the agreed guarantees include a legally binding commitment to take action to restore peace and security in the event of any future armed attack on Ukraine. The measures outlined could include the use of armed force if deemed necessary, signaling a stronger and more formalized security framework than previously discussed.
The statement also confirmed agreement between Europe and the United States on establishing a US-led mechanism to monitor any ceasefire. This mechanism would be designed to provide early warning of potential attacks, identify and document violations, and coordinate appropriate responses. European officials said the monitoring system is intended to prevent escalation and ensure compliance with any security arrangements reached as part of a broader peace deal.
Earlier on Monday, US officials said Washington had agreed in principle to provide security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement aimed at ending the war, while stressing that the offer would not remain open indefinitely. The officials indicated that further talks are likely to take place over the weekend to consolidate progress made in Berlin.
The comments followed intensive discussions in the German capital involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior US representatives, including President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to the US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, the talks resulted in tangible progress toward narrowing differences over the nature of the security guarantees Kyiv insists are essential to any lasting settlement.
The negotiations also addressed one of the most contentious issues in the conflict: Russia’s demand that Ukraine relinquish territory in the eastern Donbas region. While major disagreements remain, US officials said the overall peace framework drafted by Washington is now approximately 90 percent agreed upon by the parties involved.
As part of the evolving diplomatic package, US officials said Russia has signaled openness to Ukraine joining the European Union under a potential peace agreement. They described this position as a significant concession from Moscow, even though Russia has previously stated that it does not oppose Ukrainian EU membership, in contrast to its firm rejection of Ukraine joining NATO.
The US administration plans to submit the security guarantees agreement to the Senate for approval, officials said, though it remains unclear whether it would be presented as a formal treaty requiring a two-thirds majority or through another legislative mechanism.
Negotiators and senior officials involved in the Berlin talks are expected to reconvene over the weekend, possibly in Miami or another location in the United States, to continue refining the agreement and resolve outstanding issues.
European diplomats said the Berlin meeting reflected unprecedented alignment between Washington and its European partners on Ukraine’s future security, even as the negotiations enter a critical phase. With most elements of the peace plan reportedly agreed, the remaining disputes, particularly over territory and enforcement mechanisms, are likely to determine whether the diplomatic momentum can translate into a durable end to the conflict.
