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Talks in Berlin between Ukrainian and American officials concluded with “significant progress” on the U.S. peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. Prior to the meeting, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine was abandoning its ambition to join NATO.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed on Sunday evening that “major progress” had been achieved in discussions with Zelensky aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the war with Russia. The meeting with Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, lasted more than five hours and included “in-depth talks on the 20-point peace plan, economic programs and more.” Another session is scheduled for Monday morning.
Zelensky met the U.S. delegation on Sunday (December 14, 2025) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz briefly welcomed the participants but left the room, while his foreign and security adviser Günter Sauter remained to coordinate.
Merz had received the U.S. delegation earlier in the afternoon and warmly greeted Zelensky upon his arrival. On X, Merz wrote: “We want lasting peace in Ukraine,” acknowledging difficulties but stressing “determination to move forward.” He added: “Ukrainian interests are also European interests.”
On Monday, Merz and Zelensky are set to meet again at a German-Ukrainian business conference, followed by a dinner with European leaders, NATO and EU representatives.
Zelensky told Ukrainian journalists that he had not received any U.S. response to his latest proposals to amend Trump’s peace plan. He admitted the plan would not satisfy all parties but emphasized Ukraine’s strong negotiating position.
Also arriving in Berlin was U.S. General Alexus Grinkevich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. Meanwhile, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told state television that Moscow did not expect meaningful results from the Berlin talks.
Sources - Agencies
