Berlin Talks on Ukraine: Ceasefire, Security Guarantees, and Territorial Disputes at the Center of Negotiations

Negotiations have begun in Berlin involving Ukraine, Germany, and the United States, marking a renewed diplomatic push to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting with U.S. representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff at the presidential level, alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. After a brief greeting, Chancellor Merz left the talks, while his foreign and security policy adviser remained to moderate the discussions, according to DPA.

At the core of the talks is a proposed ceasefire. Zelenskyy said Sunday and Monday’s discussions center on a 20-point framework plan that would culminate in a ceasefire accompanied by legally binding security guarantees. Ukraine insists these guarantees must be comparable to NATO’s Article Five and approved by the U.S. Congress. Zelenskyy stressed that bringing all parties to the table has already required significant diplomatic effort.

On the economic front, Jared Kushner is overseeing the negotiations related to Ukraine’s recovery and associated security guarantees. Ukraine has already shared updated proposals and revisions to its plan with the U.S. side. Kyiv’s economic team, including the prime minister and economy minister, is closely involved.

Territorial issues remain among the most sensitive and contentious topics. Ukraine has reiterated that all discussions must begin from the current contact line — “we stand where we stand” — effectively framing this as the basis for a ceasefire. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from Donbas, claiming it would otherwise occupy the region, an assertion Kyiv rejects as a political and diplomatic tactic rather than a military reality. The U.S. has floated a proposal in which Ukrainian forces would withdraw while Russian forces would remain out of certain areas, creating a gray or buffer zone. Ukraine has firmly rejected this idea, asking who would govern such a zone and insisting that any buffer arrangement must involve equal troop withdrawals of 5–10 kilometers by both sides, with only a police presence. Zelenskyy also warned of widespread Russian misinformation about the battlefield.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia, not Ukraine, should be the party making concessions. He noted that the U.S. is currently conveying Russia’s positions due to the absence of direct dialogue with Moscow, but argued that if Washington is serious about ending the war, meaningful compromises must come from the Russian side.

On NATO, Zelenskyy described Ukraine’s current inability to join the alliance as a major compromise already made. While NATO membership was Kyiv’s preferred path to security, opposition from some partners in the U.S. and Europe has shifted discussions toward bilateral security guarantees. These would include Article Five–like commitments from the U.S. and additional guarantees from European partners, Canada, Japan, and others.

More detailed security arrangements are expected imminently. Military-level discussions are underway in Stuttgart, where Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov is present. Zelenskyy said full details should be available today or tomorrow.

Ukraine also expects significant financial support through frozen Russian assets. Zelenskyy said Kyiv is working with European partners to secure €40–45 billion annually from these funds, with an estimated €90 billion projected for 2026–2027, alongside support provided under roughly 30 bilateral agreements.

Finally, Zelenskyy cautioned that if the Berlin negotiations fail, Ukraine will continue seeking other ways to end the war. He likened the process to a marathon, stressing the need for resilience, adaptability, and persistence to achieve a just peace.