US Reports Progress in Ukraine Ceasefire Talks

Talks between Ukraine and the United States aimed at forging a peace agreement with Russia are ongoing in Berlin for a second day, signalling a continued push for de-escalation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, held a five-hour meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, on Sunday. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also participated in the discussions.

According to a US readout, “a lot of progress was made” during the initial session. The same team reconvened on Monday morning, continuing efforts to find a diplomatic solution.

Prior to the meetings, President Zelensky indicated a willingness to forgo Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership in exchange for robust security guarantees. He acknowledged that “some partners from the US and Europe” held reservations about Ukraine joining the alliance.

“And this is already a compromise on our part,” Zelensky stated on Sunday, emphasizing the flexibility shown by Ukraine in the pursuit of peace.

US envoy Witkoff has previously engaged in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, but Sunday’s meeting marked his first direct encounter with Zelensky. Nato Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus Grynkewich was also present during the talks.

Several European leaders, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are scheduled to join the discussions with the Ukrainian and US delegations later on Monday evening.

The current discussions center around Ukraine’s 20-point peace plan, which was presented to the US last week as a counterproposal to an initial American plan perceived as leaning heavily towards Russia’s demands. While specifics remain undisclosed, Zelensky last week described the points as “a foundation” for rebuilding Ukraine and establishing lasting security.

The Kremlin views Kyiv’s potential NATO membership as a “red line,” repeatedly calling for a permanent shelving of Ukraine’s alliance ambitions. “This issue is one of the cornerstones and requires special discussion,” the Kremlin said in a statement on Monday.

The US has also consistently expressed its opposition to Ukraine joining NATO. However, Kyiv harbours concerns that a peace agreement absent credible security assurances might not deter Russia from future aggression.

Zelensky addressed the sensitive matter of sovereignty over the eastern Donbas region, largely occupied by Russia, which Moscow seeks to annex entirely. He indicated openness to freezing the conflict along the current front line, but refused to concede territory.

“For it to be a fair arrangement Russia would have to withdraw the same distance,” Zelensky added, describing the situation as “extremely sensitive and heated.”

Any agreement reached by the Ukrainian, American, and European representatives will ultimately require presentation to Moscow. Zelensky noted that the US delegation effectively conveys the Russian perspective, relaying signals, demands, and potential areas of agreement or disagreement.

The Kremlin stated it awaits the “concept” discussed during Monday’s meetings to be provided by the US.

These talks occur during a critical juncture for Ukraine, as the country confronts its fourth winter amidst ongoing warfare and sustained Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, resulting in widespread power outages. Over one million Ukrainian households were left without electricity over the weekend following renewed strikes.

Simultaneously, EU member states are preparing to vote later this week on a proposal to allocate €90 billion (£78.6 billion) from frozen Russian assets, held in a Belgian financial institution, towards Ukraine’s economic support.

While EU governments agreed on Friday to indefinitely immobilize the Russian assets, a consensus on transferring them to Ukraine is yet to be reached. Belgium has expressed legal concerns regarding the proposal, and other nations, including Italy, have suggested exploring “alternative options.”

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged the rising complexities of the discussions. “But we’re doing the work, and we still have some days,” she stated optimistically.

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