The second round of negotiations between Zelenskyy and US representatives in Berlin has concluded
Kyiv • UNN
The second round of negotiations involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US representatives has concluded in Berlin. Details are currently unknown.
The second round of negotiations with US representatives, with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has concluded in Berlin, UNN reports, citing sources.
"The round of negotiations (between Zelenskyy and US representatives - ed.) has concluded," a UNN interlocutor reported.
Context
As UNN previously reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with US negotiators reportedly began in Berlin, amid increased pressure from US President Donald Trump on Ukraine to reach an agreement.
The meeting, the start of which a high-ranking Ukrainian official reported to AFP, takes place on the second day of talks aimed at ending the war with Russia. On Sunday, Zelenskyy and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held more than five hours of negotiations in Berlin to find a solution to the conflict caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
On Sunday evening, after the first round of negotiations, US envoy Steve Witkoff stated that "significant progress" had been made. But German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that it was necessary to wait until "the end of the week" to learn the results of the discussions. He once again pointed to the responsibility of Kremlin head Vladimir Putin for ending the war he started in February 2022.
As AFP notes, Sunday's meeting took place under heightened security at the Chancellor's residence in Berlin, where German leader Friedrich Merz was scheduled to host a dinner with Zelenskyy, a group of European leaders, and NATO and EU heads on Monday.
An AFP photographer saw the Ukrainian leader leave the Chancellor's residence shortly before 9:00 PM local time (10:00 PM Kyiv time).
Trump has pushed for an end to the war, but "Kyiv and its allies in Europe are doing everything possible to prevent any settlement that would be significantly more favorable to Russia," the publication writes.
"Key questions remain regarding Ukraine's territorial concessions, future security guarantees for Kyiv, and whether Moscow will agree to any proposal developed by Europeans and Americans," the publication states.
Zelenskyy, on his way to Germany, said he was ready for "dialogue" on ending the war. He said he hoped Washington would support the idea of freezing the front line where it is, rather than Ukraine ceding all of Donbas, as Moscow demands.
"Trump has increased pressure on Ukraine to reach an agreement since the release last month of a plan to end the war, which was criticized as echoing Moscow's demands," the publication states.
Ukrainian officials said before the talks that they had sent Washington a revised version. Witkoff said that "in-depth discussions" on this plan, "the economic agenda, and more" took place on Sunday.
Zelenskyy said on Sunday: "The most important thing is that the plan is as fair as possible, first of all for Ukraine, because Russia started the war."
Europeans and Ukrainians have asked the United States to provide them with "security guarantees" before Ukraine negotiates any territorial concessions, France said on Friday.
Under the latest US plan, Ukraine could join the EU as early as January 2027, a senior official familiar with the matter told AFP on Friday on condition of anonymity.