Berlin Talks: Progress Without Agreement
World
The second day of talks between Ukraine and the United States concluded in Berlin, focusing on possible parameters of a conflict settlement. According to media reports, Washington continued to insist that Ukraine cede Russia-controlled access to parts of the Donetsk region that are not currently occupied — a demand firmly rejected by Kyiv.
The Ukrainian delegation was led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, National Security Council chief Rustem Umerov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov. The U.S. side included presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, businessman Jared Kushner, and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich.
As reported by Suspilne and The Guardian, the U.S. delegation urged Ukraine to withdraw its forces from parts of Donetsk region under Kyiv’s control. Ukrainian officials refused, stressing that sovereignty over national territory is not negotiable. The sides also discussed the management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the issue of elections in Ukraine.
According to the Kyiv Post, security guarantees became a central topic of the Berlin talks. President Zelensky said Ukraine is prepared to forgo NATO membership as part of a peace agreement, but emphasized the need for alternative international security guarantees comparable to NATO’s Article 5.
The talks lasted more than five hours. Following the meeting, Steve Witkoff described the discussions as having made “significant progress,” although no concrete agreements on key issues were announced.
As reported by Suspilne and The Guardian, the U.S. delegation urged Ukraine to withdraw its forces from parts of Donetsk region under Kyiv’s control. Ukrainian officials refused, stressing that sovereignty over national territory is not negotiable. The sides also discussed the management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the issue of elections in Ukraine.
According to the Kyiv Post, security guarantees became a central topic of the Berlin talks. President Zelensky said Ukraine is prepared to forgo NATO membership as part of a peace agreement, but emphasized the need for alternative international security guarantees comparable to NATO’s Article 5.
The talks lasted more than five hours. Following the meeting, Steve Witkoff described the discussions as having made “significant progress,” although no concrete agreements on key issues were announced.
Powered by Froala Editor