Berlin talks narrow U.S.–Ukraine security guarantees but remain split on territory
In Berlin over the weekend U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with President Zelenskyy and European leaders, with negotiators saying there was "real progress" on a U.S. proposal for NATO‑like, legally binding security guarantees (which Kyiv has said could prompt it to drop its NATO bid if backed by Congress). The talks nonetheless remain sharply divided over territory — a U.S. draft would have Ukraine pull back from roughly 14% of Donbas into a demilitarized free‑economic zone, a concession Kyiv rejects — all amid heavy Russian strikes on Odesa and other infrastructure that underscore the urgency.
📌 Key Facts
- Berlin talks produced tangible movement on a U.S. security‑guarantee proposal: the U.S. has floated NATO‑like, legally binding guarantees tied to congressional approval (Senate/House backing), and U.S. officials say most technical issues are largely resolved while warning the offer may not remain open indefinitely.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is prepared to drop Ukraine’s bid to join NATO in exchange for those legally binding Western security guarantees, but he continues to refuse ceding territory.
- Negotiators remain sharply divided on territory: an American draft would have Ukraine withdraw from roughly 14% of Donbas and turn it into a demilitarized “free economic zone,” a proposal Kyiv has called unworkable; working‑level map talks are planned to continue (potentially in the U.S.), and Zelensky said any territorial concessions could require a referendum.
- U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff traveled to Berlin and met with Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz; Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and U.S. participants described the meetings (a long Sunday session followed by a shorter Monday session) as making “real progress.”
- The Kremlin pushed back: advisers including Yuri Ushakov and spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow expects Ukrainian troop withdrawals from parts of Donetsk as a condition of a ceasefire, that Russian police/National Guard would remain in parts of Donbas even if demilitarized, and criticized changes to U.S. proposals — while saying Putin is open to serious peace talks.
- Fighting and strikes intensified during the talks: Russia launched large drone‑and‑missile attacks on Odesa and other regions that targeted energy, port and industrial infrastructure, igniting grain silos and causing widespread outages (reports cite hundreds of thousands to over 1 million without power); casualty and damage tallies differ across reports.
- Both sides reported heavy drone activity and interceptions with differing counts: Ukrainian officials reported hundreds of drones and missiles launched (various tallies reported), Ukraine’s air force and Russian defense statements gave different interception numbers, and Russian authorities said a Ukrainian drone strike in Saratov killed two people — details and casualty claims vary by source.
- The diplomatic sequence will continue: European leaders (including a planned visit by French President Emmanuel Macron) remain engaged in Berlin, Trump is pressing for a swift peace and is expected to remain involved (including calling into a leaders’ dinner), and negotiators plan further working sessions to try to bridge remaining gaps on territory and guarantees.
📰 Sources (9)
Ukraine and U.S. divided over territory after intense negotiations
New information:
- U.S. draft envisions Ukraine pulling back from roughly 14% of Donbas it currently controls, turning it into a demilitarized 'free economic zone'.
- U.S. is offering NATO‑like ('Article 5') security guarantees that officials say would go to the Senate; a U.S. official claims '90%' of issues with Ukraine are resolved.
- Zelenskyy said the sides still have 'different positions on territory' and questioned why Russia wouldn’t seize areas if Ukrainian troops withdraw; he also noted any concessions may require a referendum.
- Working‑level map talks are expected in the U.S. (potentially Miami) this coming weekend; Trump is expected to call into a dinner with Zelenskyy and European leaders.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz participated and was positive about the U.S. security‑guarantee proposal; a U.S. official asserted Russia could accept the guarantees.
- A U.S. official warned the broader offer 'will not be on the table forever.'
Latest talks between Ukraine and U.S. yield ‘progress’ as Trump seeks swift peace
New information:
- Ukraine’s negotiator Rustem Umerov said 'real progress' was achieved after a 90-minute Monday session that followed a five-hour meeting on Sunday in Berlin.
- A post from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s account said 'a lot of progress was made.'
- Zelenskyy reiterated readiness to drop NATO membership bid if guarantees are legally binding and backed by the U.S. Congress, while still rejecting ceding territory.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow expects updates from the U.S., avoided predicting a timeline, and asserted Putin is 'open to serious peace.'
- French President Emmanuel Macron planned to travel to Berlin Monday; German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesperson emphasized the centrality of security guarantees.
Zelenskyy offers to drop NATO bid in exchange for security guarantees, refuses to cede land
New information:
- Zelenskyy publicly says Ukraine is willing to drop its NATO membership bid in exchange for legally binding Western security guarantees backed by the U.S. Congress.
- He posted meeting photos showing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the table with the U.S. delegation in Berlin.
- Zelenskyy described his comments to reporters via a WhatsApp audio chat before talks, framing the guarantees as a compromise to prevent further Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy to meet with Witkoff and Kushner for talks aimed at ending war
New information:
- Zelenskyy confirms a personal meeting in Berlin with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff and separate talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
- Zelenskyy says the U.S. floated a plan for Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk and establish a demilitarized free economic zone there; he rejected it as unworkable and called for a freeze along the current line of contact (“we stand where we stand”).
- He demands legally binding, NATO‑like security guarantees backed by the U.S. Congress and says he has not yet received a U.S. response to Ukraine’s latest proposals; he expects updates from a Ukraine–U.S. military meeting in Stuttgart.
- Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov says Russian police and National Guard would remain in parts of Donetsk even if designated a demilitarized zone and claims U.S. proposals were ‘worsened’ by Ukrainian/European edits.
US envoys arrive in Berlin for latest round of Ukraine peace talks with Zelenskyy
New information:
- President Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Berlin on Sunday, confirmed by German agency dpa.
- Zelenskyy said he will meet Trump’s envoys and European partners in coming days to work on a political agreement to end the war.
- Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Russian police and national guard would remain in parts of Donbas even if designated a demilitarized zone under a potential plan, and complained U.S. proposals were 'worsened' by Ukraine/EU edits.
- Ukraine’s air force reported Russia launched ballistic missiles and 138 attack drones overnight; 110 were intercepted, with hits at six locations.
- Zelenskyy said hundreds of thousands of families remain without power across southern, eastern and northeastern regions.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the 'Pax Americana' era is largely over for Europe and warned Putin seeks to redraw borders.
Russia and Ukraine trade attacks as U.S. and European officials prepare to resume peace talks
New information:
- Zelenskyy says he will meet President Trump’s envoys in Berlin; White House official names Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as traveling to the talks.
- Ukrainian officials report Russia used more than 450 drones and 30 missiles overnight, with over 1 million people without electricity amid freezing temperatures.
- Odesa port grain silos caught fire; two people were wounded in the wider Odesa region.
- Russian authorities say a Ukrainian drone strike in Saratov killed two and damaged a residential building; Russia’s Defense Ministry claims 41 drones were shot down overnight.
- Ukrainian forces assert the northern part of Pokrovsk remains under Ukrainian control, disputing Russia’s claim of full capture.
- Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov says Moscow will back a ceasefire only after Ukrainian troops withdraw from remaining parts of Donetsk still held by Kyiv.
Russia Bombs Ukraine Port of Odesa Amid Peace Talks
New information:
- Russia launched one of the largest drone-and-missile attacks of the war on Odesa overnight Friday–Saturday, targeting energy, industrial and other infrastructure.
- Much of Odesa lost power, heat and water; hospitals and public drinking water stations switched to generators.
- Officials reported no deaths from the overnight strikes.
- Negotiators from Europe, the United States and Ukraine will meet in Berlin over the weekend, with Zelensky and European leaders expected to hold talks Monday.
- Zelensky said the strikes show Russia is not aiming to end the war and called for increased pressure on Moscow.
2 killed in Russia; Ukraine's energy infrastructure is targeted
New information:
- At least two people were killed in Russia’s Saratov region after a Ukrainian drone strike damaged a residential building; windows at a kindergarten and clinic were blown out.
- Russia’s Defense Ministry said it shot down 41 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight.
- Zelenskyy said Russia launched over 450 drones and 30 missiles overnight targeting Ukraine’s energy and port infrastructure, leaving thousands without power across seven regions.
- Odesa port grain silos caught fire; two people were wounded in the wider Odesa region.
- Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said Russian police and National Guard would remain in Donbas even after a peace settlement and that a ceasefire would require Ukrainian forces to withdraw from the front line.
- Germany is set to host Zelenskyy on Monday for talks as peace efforts gain momentum, while U.S.-led negotiations continue with President Trump pressing for a swift end to the war.