US President Donald Trump announced on 15/12 that he held "very long and good" discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
Asked about the negotiations in Berlin, Germany, between the US, Ukraine, and Europe, Trump stated, "We are trying to finalize the work." He added, "We have had many discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. We are closer to a deal than ever before, and let's see what can be achieved."
When pressed on whether he had spoken directly with President Putin, Trump confirmed he had, without elaborating.
Trump implied that for security guarantees, Ukraine might need to cede areas it still controls in the Donbass region, specifically Donetsk and Lugansk provinces, to Russia. He noted that Europe "will play an important role" in any such guarantees.
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US President Donald Trump at the White House on 15/12. Photo: AFP
US and Ukrainian delegations, joined by European officials, negotiated a peace plan in Germany on 14-15/12. Both Washington and Kyiv described these meetings as positive.
A US official indicated that the proposed agreement would grant Ukraine security guarantees akin to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Treaty. Article 5 states that an attack on one member is an attack on the entire alliance, triggering a collective response.
Another US official suggested Russia would not oppose Ukraine's accession to the European Union. Trump also aims to prevent further Russian westward expansion. Representatives are scheduled to meet in the US at the end of the week for further talks.
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The Ukrainian and US delegations at a meeting in Berlin, Germany, on 14/12. Photo: Reuters
European leaders reacted cautiously to the US statements. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz posted on X, "Since the outbreak of hostilities, this is the first time a ceasefire has the prospect of becoming a reality."
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk noted this was the first time he felt parties were "truly behaving like allies." Meanwhile, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson found the security guarantee issue "clearer and more reliable."
Kristersson cautioned, "There are still many difficult questions, such as territorial issues and whether Russia truly wants peace."
President Zelensky acknowledged that territorial concessions are a "painful" issue for Ukraine but expressed confidence that the US would help his nation find a solution.
Russia has not yet commented on these developments. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov previously stated that Moscow was awaiting updates from Washington regarding the meetings in Germany.
By Nhu Tam (Reuters, AFP)
