Overview
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine is prepared to forgo its NATO bid in return for Western security guarantees that are legally binding and backed by the U.S. Congress.
- After more than five hours of discussions Sunday, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said “a lot of progress” was made, with talks resuming Monday on a narrowed 20‑point framework, a separate guarantees text, and a reconstruction plan.
- Territory remains the core dispute, with an AFP‑cited official saying U.S. negotiators pressed Ukraine to cede parts of the Donbas—an idea Kyiv rejects as Zelenskyy argues for a cease-fire on current lines and dismissed a proposed demilitarized economic zone in Donetsk.
- U.S. officials told reporters that up to 90% of issues are close to resolution, that Washington is ready to offer NATO‑like guarantees subject to legal approval, and that Russia has signaled potential openness to Ukraine joining the EU.
- Fighting continued with Russian missile and drone strikes reported, while European leaders in Berlin and an EU summit this week weighed financing options including the use of frozen Russian assets.