US and European negotiators have drafted two documents on support for Ukraine after a potential "peace deal" is reached.

Source: The New York Times, citing sources

Details: The NYT noted that for the first time in several months, European officials have spoken of good cooperation with US negotiators.

The NYT wrote that US and European officials said the draft security documents had been developed during more than eight hours of intensive discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian representatives in Berlin on Sunday 14 December and Monday 15 December. The talks involved leaders and national security officials from around a dozen European countries, including France, Germany, Italy and the UK.

One of the draft documents sets out general principles. According to two US officials and several European diplomats, it represents a commitment similar to NATO's Article 5 guarantee, under which all member states pledge to assist any country that comes under attack.

Another part of the agreement, which US officials described as an "mil-to-mil operating document", contains more detailed information. It explains how US and European forces would work with the Ukrainian military to ensure that Russia does not try to seize Ukrainian territory again in the coming years.

The NYT added that neither of the draft documents has been made public.

Quote from the NYT: "People familiar with them said the operating document includes numerous, specific directives designed to reassure Ukraine in various scenarios of possible Russian incursion. One American official, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity, said that the document was 'very specific' about how to deter further incursions and punish Russia if they occur."

Details: The NYT stated that a top priority is a plan to bring the size of Ukraine's armed forces to a "peacetime level" of 800,000 troops with modern equipment and training, so that they would be a "strong deterrent against Russia".

Quote from the NYT: "By comparison, Germany's army has about 180,000 armed troops."

Details: According to a joint statement by the leaders of 10 European countries and senior European Union officials, creating such a force will require "sustained and significant support" for Ukraine.

One European diplomat, cited by the NYT without further detail, said the document contains "very concrete" details about the military equipment Ukraine needs.

Quote from the NYT: "The document also lays out details about a Europe-led military force to assist Ukraine by operating inside the country to secure the skies and seas.

Officials declined to provide specifics about which countries would station troops in Ukraine, but Mr. Zelenskyy said Tuesday that several have pledged privately to do so.

Those troops are expected to be based in western Ukraine, away from any cease-fire line, to serve as another level of deterrence against any future Russian aggression."

Details: The draft document also sets out how the United States will help detect attempts by Russia to create "false flag" operations that could give Moscow a pretext to resume hostilities. Officials have said for years that this is a typical Russian tactic.

Previously: ​​Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal said that partners had made new commitments on long-term support for Ukraine following the 32nd meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein format).

Previously: Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset said that a record number of states are ready to sign a convention to establish a compensation commission for damage caused to Ukraine by Russia's war

If Russia attacks Ukraine again, the United States will respond militarily to the aggressor, said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who attended the Berlin summit on peace in Ukraine.

Background:

• On 15 December, Zelenskyy met with a large group of European leaders in Berlin.
• Earlier on the same day, talks took place in Berlin between the Ukrainian and US delegations regarding a "peace plan". AFP reported that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had pressed Ukrainian representatives to give up the part of Donbas still under Kyiv's control.
• Zelenskyy said that Ukraine will not recognise Donbas as Russian, either de facto or de jure.

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