Discussions between Ukrainian and US delegations, aimed at a potential peace resolution with Russia, proceeded for a second day in Berlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and chief negotiator Rustem Umerov held a five-hour meeting on Sunday with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also participated. A US statement indicated "a lot of progress was made." The same participants reconvened on Monday morning. Prior to the Monday meeting, President Zelensky indicated a willingness to forgo Ukraine's ambitions to join NATO in exchange for security guarantees.
President Zelensky acknowledged a lack of support from "some partners from the US and Europe" for Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations. He stated Ukraine is seeking robust security guarantees, drawing parallels with NATO's Article 5 mutual protection clause, describing this position as "already a compromise on our part." This Sunday meeting in Berlin marked US envoy Witkoff's first direct engagement with President Zelensky, although Witkoff has previously conducted talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, was also in attendance.
Further discussions involving several European leaders and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are anticipated with the Ukrainian and US delegations on Monday evening. Central to the Berlin talks is a 20-point peace plan proposed by Ukraine to the US last week. This plan was presented as an alternative to an earlier American proposal. Specific details of Ukraine's plan remain undisclosed, but President Zelensky previously characterized it as a "foundation" for developing provisions for Ukraine's reconstruction and security guarantees. Russia maintains that Ukraine's membership in NATO is unacceptable and has consistently demanded a permanent cessation of such aspirations. The Kremlin stated on Monday that "this issue is one of the cornerstones and requires special discussion." The United States has also reiterated its stance against Ukraine joining NATO. Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns that a peace agreement lacking substantial security guarantees might not prevent future Russian aggression.