Witkoff to visit Berlin for Ukraine talks as European leaders demand guaranteesv

 

The White House announced that US envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Berlin on Monday, as Washington seeks to advance peace efforts in Ukraine. France has demanded security guarantees before any negotiations over eastern Ukrainian territories.

A White House official confirmed reports by the Wall Street Journal, noting that a “tense” phone call recently took place between President Donald Trump and European leaders, during which Trump urged them to pressure Zelensky into accepting the terms of a peace plan.

Trump stated at a White House event that he would soon know whether an agreement between Russia and Ukraine was possible, emphasizing progress in ongoing talks.

The German government announced that Berlin will host the meeting, with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte among the participants. Zelensky is also scheduled to attend the German-Ukrainian Business Forum alongside Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

French President Emmanuel Macron has not yet decided whether he will attend, according to the Élysée Palace.

Sources - Agencies