Ukraine Peace Talks Underway in Berlin
US envoys arrived in Berlin on Sunday morning for negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Among the US representatives were special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, observed in downtown Berlin by German news agency dpa.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian, US, and European officials would hold a series of meetings in Berlin. He stated, "Most importantly, I will be meeting with envoys of President Trump, and there will also be meetings with our European partners, with many leaders, concerning the foundation of peace — a political agreement to end the war."
Diplomatic Obstacles and Positions
Washington has been involved in facilitating discussions between the parties. Key obstacles include the status of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, largely under Russian control, and future security guarantees for Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's stated conditions for peace include Ukraine's withdrawal from the remaining parts of the Donetsk region still under its control and the abandonment of its bid to join NATO. Kyiv has rejected these conditions.
Yuri Ushakov, Russia's foreign affairs adviser, informed the business daily Kommersant that Russian police and national guard troops would remain in parts of eastern Ukraine's Donbas, even if designated as a demilitarized zone under a prospective peace plan. This demand is likely to be rejected by Ukraine. Ushakov also noted that US proposals, which initially incorporated Russian demands, had been "worsened" by alterations suggested by Ukraine and its European allies. He stated, "We will strongly insist on our considerations."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented on European security, stating, "the decades of the 'Pax Americana' are largely over for us in Europe and for us in Germany as well." Merz also asserted that Putin's objective is "a fundamental change to the borders in Europe, the restoration of the old Soviet Union within its borders," and warned, "If Ukraine falls, he won't stop." Putin has denied intentions to restore the Soviet Union or attack any European allies.
Continued Aerial Attacks
Concurrently with the peace efforts, both Russia and Ukraine reported ongoing aerial attacks.
Ukraine's air force stated that Russia launched ballistic missiles and 138 attack drones overnight. Out of these, 110 were reportedly intercepted or downed, while missile and drone strikes were recorded at six locations. President Zelenskyy reported that hundreds of thousands of families in the southern, eastern, and north-eastern regions were without power, with restoration efforts underway following a large-scale attack. He also stated that in the preceding week, Russia had launched over 1,500 strike drones, nearly 900 guided aerial bombs, and 46 missiles of various types at Ukraine.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses downed 235 Ukrainian drones late Saturday and early Sunday. Incidents included:
- In the Belgorod region, a drone injured one individual and ignited a house fire in Yasnye Zori, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
- An oil depot in Uryupinsk, Volgograd region, was struck by Ukrainian drones, resulting in a fire, as reported by regional governor Andrei Bocharov.
- Ukrainian drones attacked Afipsky in the Krasnodar region, where an oil refinery is situated. Authorities reported shattered windows in residential buildings but no damage to the refinery.
President Zelenskyy concluded that Ukraine seeks "peace on decent terms" and expressed readiness for constructive diplomatic engagement to achieve results.