Diplomatic activity surrounding Ukraine has intensified significantly in recent times, with peace talks being conducted at a level never before seen since the start of the war. This is happening in connection with a summit to be held in Berlin with the participation of European leaders, the leadership of the European Union, and NATO.
Redaksiya reports that a high-level summit is planned for Monday, December 15, in Berlin, with the participation of European leaders, the leadership of the European Union, and NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also travel to the German capital. According to The Wall Street Journal, American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will also personally come to Berlin, whereas previously it was reported that negotiations would only be conducted via video link.
At the same time, according to BILD, there is still no unified position in the European Union and the US regarding the use of these funds: some European countries want to use this money directly to support Ukraine, while Washington insists on creating an American recovery fund. According to sources, the new unofficial deadline that Trump wants to see results by in the negotiations is Christmas.
One of the most sensitive issues remains Donbas. According to the US proposal, Ukrainian troops must withdraw from a part of the Donetsk region. This area could later become a "demilitarized zone." Issues such as security guarantees for Ukraine, the restoration of destroyed cities, and the fate of frozen Russian assets will also be discussed.
According to the publication's sources, under the current proposal, Ukraine will maintain its sovereignty over 80% of its territory, receive "the greatest and strongest security guarantees it has ever obtained," and a significant package of measures to ensure prosperity. Sources claim that Trump is exerting strong pressure on Zelensky to make concessions, including against the backdrop of the Ukrainian president's domestic political weakening due to a corruption scandal.
At the same time, an official from the White House stated that the Trump administration is ready to provide Ukraine with guarantees based on Article 5 of NATO, which will be approved by Congress and have legal force. Volodymyr Zelensky had previously suggested that a referendum could be held on a peace agreement that would also include territorial concessions. According to Axios, the US views this as progress.
Bild, citing its sources, writes that diplomatic activity surrounding the war in Ukraine has intensified sharply, and peace talks are being conducted more actively than ever since the beginning of the war. Berlin assesses this as the White House pressuring the parties and wanting to reach an agreement quickly. According to the publication, the negotiations are more intense than they have been at any point since February 2022.