High-Stakes Peace Negotiations in Berlin
Berlin, Germany – December 15, 2025: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continued high-level peace talks in Berlin with U.S. representatives, including envoys linked to former President Donald Trump and Jared Kushner. The discussions aim to end the war with Russia, but critical territorial issues remain unresolved.
While U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff reported “a lot of progress” during preliminary meetings, officials briefed on the talks confirmed that the United States continues to press Ukraine to cede control of the eastern Donbas region—a demand firmly rejected by Kyiv.
“It’s striking that the Americans are taking the Russians’ position on this issue,” a Ukrainian official said, highlighting Kyiv’s insistence on retaining its territorial integrity.
German Leadership and International Support
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is hosting the negotiations, with Ukraine’s President Zelensky scheduled to meet him before evening sessions with European leaders, NATO officials, and the European Union’s executive chief. Central Berlin has been transformed into a high-security zone, complete with road closures, rooftop snipers, dog patrols, and anti-drone surveillance.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who has close ties with Trump, participated in discussions with both Kushner and Zelensky, demonstrating broad international engagement in the talks.
Core Issues: Territory, NATO, and Security Guarantees
Trump has advocated for a swift end to the conflict, but a previously proposed 28-point plan faced criticism in Kyiv for favoring Russia. Zelensky’s team has countered with proposals emphasizing Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Ukraine has indicated flexibility regarding its NATO membership, seeking strong international security guarantees in exchange for compromise. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that NATO-related issues remain a central point for Russia.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed cautious optimism, noting:
“The negotiations have never been as serious as they are now. They are being conducted very intensively… but whether they will succeed depends on whether Putin genuinely wants to end this war.”
Timeline and Expectations
Although there is no strict deadline, U.S. officials hope to outline the key contours of a potential agreement by Christmas. Zelensky emphasized the importance of a plan that is fair to Ukraine, stating that any peace framework must acknowledge that Russia initiated the war.
Even if an initial agreement is reached, broader approval from European leaders—including Britain’s Keir Starmer, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Poland’s Donald Tusk, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, and France’s Emmanuel Macron—will be required to ensure international backing and implementation.
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