President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky concluded his meeting U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Berlin on Dec. 14, as talks continue to finalize a peace plan to end Russia's full-scale war,
The Kyiv Independent reports.
The visit is part of renewed diplomatic efforts, after the U.S. backed a 28-point plan that many viewed as effectively pushing Ukraine toward capitulation in Russia's all-out war. The proposal was subsequently reduced to 20 points following consultations with Ukrainian and European representatives.
The talks, which lasted for more than five hours on Dec. 14, will continue on the morning of Dec. 15, Ukraine’s Presidential Office told public broadcaster Suspilne.
In a readout provided by Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy said that a "lot of progress was made" during the meeting, without providing details.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Zelensky signaled that Ukraine seeks NATO-like security guarantees as part of a peace deal to prevent future Russian aggression, as full membership is opposed by the U.S. and other partners.
Ahead of the meeting, Axios reported, citing a senior U.S. official, that the Trump administration may be willing to provide Congress-approved NATO-like security guarantees.
"We want to give the Ukrainians a security guarantee that will not be a blank check on the one hand but will be strong enough on the other hand. We are willing to send it to Congress to vote on it," the U.S. official told Axios.
As the U.S. and some European partners do not back Ukraine's bid to join NATO, Kyiv instead seeks "Article 5-like" bilateral guarantees from the U.S., European countries, and other partners, he noted.
"And that's already a compromise from our side," Zelensky said, adding that such guarantees on the American part must be confirmed by the U.S. Congress.
According to the president, Ukraine is not leading a "direct dialogue with the Russian side," as Moscow's positions are relayed by the U.S.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said that Moscow had not yet reviewed the Ukrainian and European revisions to the peace plan, but added that they "will likely not be constructive" and Russia will "strongly object" if any changes are implemented. Ushakov stressed that Moscow is determined to stand its ground on territorial issues.
The Kremlin has demanded that Ukraine cede the entire Donetsk Oblast, including territory that Russian forces have been unable to capture, as a key condition for any peace deal.
Speaking about Donbas, Zelensky said the only fair option would be a ceasefire based on the "we stand where we stand" principle, and the matter would be resolved later through diplomatic means.
Any proposal for a "free economic zone" or a "demilitarized zone" — an idea backed by the U.S. — would only be just if both sides withdraw their forces symmetrically, Zelensky added, calling it a "question that currently has no answer."
