Zelensky Meets U.S. Envoys in Berlin in New Round of Ukraine Peace Talks

Berlin hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday for a second day of high-level discussions focused on resolving the conflict in Ukraine. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and leading European figures participated in the talks.

According to a social media post from Witkoff's office, he was scheduled to continue discussions with Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law. These talks followed a five-hour meeting on Sunday, hosted by the German government, which Witkoff's office described as having yielded "a lot of progress."

Monday evening's schedule included participation from other European leaders, such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Russian representatives were not expected to attend.

Differences persist between the U.S. and European nations regarding potential concessions from Ukraine to secure a ceasefire with Russia. The U.S. has suggested Ukraine consider ceding some territory, even areas not yet occupied by Russia. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. Ukraine has firmly stated its unwillingness to concede further land, a stance largely supported by European leaders who are hesitant to reward Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Hopes for a potential compromise arose on Sunday when Zelensky reiterated Kyiv's willingness to suspend its pursuit of NATO membership, at least for the time being. Zelensky stated that, in exchange, Ukraine would require strong guarantees of U.S. intervention in the event of another Russian attack.

In addition to the peace talks, Zelensky's Monday agenda included meetings with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Julia Klöckner, the speaker of the German Parliament. He was also scheduled to participate in a meeting concerning Ukrainian-German economic relations.