The initial round of Ukraine peace negotiations in Berlin concluded Sunday evening after 5.5 hours, with President Zelenskyy departing the chancellery. Talks involving US envoys and German Chancellor Merz will resume Monday amid reports of advancement on peace plans and economic issues, building on earlier discussions of security guarantees and territorial concerns.
Building on Sunday's opening exchanges—where Zelenskyy signaled openness to security guarantees in lieu of immediate NATO membership and a potential demilitarized zone—the first formal round at Berlin's chancellery wrapped up after an intensive 5.5-hour session. Participants included Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and NATO Europe commander US General Alexus Grynkewich, alongside Zelenskyy, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (dispatched by President Trump), and Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU).
Merz hosted the delegations and posted on X: "We want a lasting peace in Ukraine. Difficult questions lie ahead, but we are determined to move forward." Witkoff echoed positivity, citing "great progress" on the platform. Topics spanned the revised 20-point US peace plan, economic agendas, and Zelenskyy's push to freeze the current front line as a 'fair' interim step, despite ongoing US pressure for territorial concessions to Russia.
Monday's agenda features Merz meeting Zelenskyy on economic matters and peace status, followed by an evening gathering of European leaders (including Macron, Starmer, Meloni), EU, and NATO heads—preceding next week's EU summit on Russian assets. Merz's hosting underscores European support for Kyiv amid political risks.
