Witkoff Meets Zelensky for Ukraine War Discussions
US President Donald Trump’s overseas envoy is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Germany this weekend for crucial talks aimed at ending the ongoing war.
Steve Witkoff, leading the White House’s mediation efforts between Ukraine and Russia, will present the latest iteration of the proposed peace agreement in Berlin. The Trump administration is reportedly pushing for a deal before Christmas, having engaged in several rounds of discussions with both Ukrainian and Russian representatives in recent weeks.
However, a significant breakthrough remains elusive. While details are still emerging, the Wall Street Journal reports that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are expected to participate in the Berlin discussions.
The meeting follows Ukraine’s submission of a revised 20-point peace plan to the US, building on an initial proposal from late November. This has sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity as international players seek a resolution to the conflict.
A key sticking point in the negotiations continues to be the status of territory in eastern Ukraine. Kyiv insists on maintaining its territorial integrity and refuses to cede land illegally occupied by Russia, while Moscow demands full control of the Donbas region.
President Zelensky has expressed skepticism regarding the US proposal for a “special economic zone” in the contested territories, suggesting Ukraine’s army would withdraw, leaving the area vulnerable. “What will restrain [Russia] from advancing? Or from infiltrating disguised as civilians?” he questioned, according to reports.
Despite these concerns, both Ukraine and its European allies have acknowledged progress in the US-led talks, noting amendments that address earlier concerns about the plan being heavily skewed in Russia’s favour.
Recent statements from President Trump, however, suggest growing impatience with Ukraine and its European backers. In a strongly worded interview with Politico, he described European leaders as “weak” and reiterated his calls for Ukraine to hold elections.
President Zelensky responded that elections could be feasible within 90 days, contingent upon security guarantees from the US and Europe. Elections have been suspended since the declaration of martial law following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Alongside the White House’s diplomatic push, European nations are focusing on providing support to Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement, particularly concerning security assurances and financial aid.
Ukraine is facing a significant financial shortfall, requiring an estimated €135.7bn (£119bn; $159bn) over the next two years. To address this, European Union governments on Friday agreed to freeze approximately €210bn (£185bn; $247) in Russian assets held within Europe.
The hope is that these frozen assets can be leveraged to provide financial assistance to Ukraine, potentially through loans, at an upcoming EU summit. However, the Kremlin has condemned the move as theft, with Russia’s central bank threatening legal action against Euroclear, the Belgian bank holding the majority of the frozen funds.
Belgian officials are reportedly cautious about the legal implications of repurposing the Russian assets. Separately, reports indicate the latest peace plan includes a pathway for Ukraine’s rapid accession to the European Union, with Brussels reportedly supporting the idea.
The Financial Times reported that Ukraine could potentially join the EU as early as January 2027, although it remains unclear whether the US administration has endorsed this aspect of the draft plan. Ukraine formally applied for EU membership shortly after the 2022 invasion, but full membership is still some years away.
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