Media: US seeks "strongest package possible" to take to Russia to end war

US, Ukrainian and European officials made progress this week toward a potential framework for ending the war in Ukraine in Berlin talks, with a US official describing the mission as assembling “the strongest package possible” that could be presented to Russia in an effort to bring the conflict to a close.

The main mission is to "come up with the strongest package possible, in order to see if we can go back to Russia with something that can close this out,” the official told Axios. 

After two days of intensive negotiations, the talks had advanced significantly on security guarantees for Ukraine, though major differences remain over territorial issues. The discussions took place amid a push by Washington to finalise a proposal with Kyiv before engaging Moscow.

According to US officials, the most contentious issues during weeks of talks have been the scope of security guarantees Ukraine would receive from the United States and its European allies, and the location of post-war lines of control. Officials said the sides are now approaching agreement on security guarantees, which would be based on NATO’s Article 5 collective defence principle.

A US official said decisions on territory would ultimately rest with Ukraine, but warned that the broader US offer, including what officials describe as the strongest security guarantees proposed so far, would not remain open indefinitely. 

One US official said about 90 per cent of the issues between Washington and Kyiv had been resolved, with remaining matters requiring further technical discussions.

By Sabina Mammadli