Berlin
The European Union is facing a critical week as it tries to protect Ukraine from an unfavorable peace deal imposed by the US and Russia, and to save a multi-billion euro loan financing agreement for Ukraine. EU leaders will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and American officials in Berlin to discuss a peace deal, and will also fight for support for the lending plan among European governments.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that a peace agreement for Ukraine is closer than at any time in the last four years. The US, Ukraine, and European countries are working on three key documents, including a 20-point peace plan, security guarantees, and a post-war reconstruction program.
Germany will offer asylum to Belarusian opposition figures Maria Kalesnikava and Viktar Babaryka, who have been released from imprisonment. Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt stated that Berlin is ready to welcome these political figures, who have become symbols of resistance to the Lukashenka regime.
On December 15, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. They will discuss economic issues and the progress of the peace process, after which EU and NATO leaders will join the discussions.
US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced significant progress in negotiations with the Ukrainian delegation in Berlin. The next meeting will take place on December 15.
Talks on a possible ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, which began in Berlin with the participation of Zelenskyy and representatives of the Trump administration, will continue on Monday. Specific proposals are not yet known, and Russia views the negotiations with suspicion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting in Berlin with US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The talks are taking place against the backdrop of an international peace summit.
US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner left the office of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. They are heading to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin.
The Kremlin called NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's statements about preparing for a large-scale war with Russia irresponsible. Rutte claimed that NATO is Russia's next target, and Kremlin spokesman Peskov stated that these words demonstrate a misunderstanding of World War II.
Zelenskyy stated that the Berlin summit is discussing a 20-point plan that includes a ceasefire and legally binding security guarantees for Ukraine. Kyiv seeks to avoid a repeat of the war, insisting on the support of the US Congress for the guarantees.
From December 14, 2025, Ukrzaliznytsia introduced a new schedule for passenger trains, increasing the number of international routes from 11 to 17. This allows travel to Munich, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Salzburg with one transfer, covering Eastern and Central Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin to participate in a peace summit, where the highest security level "0" has been introduced. This means an expectation of attacks or assassination attempts, which has led to increased security measures throughout the city.
Ukraine has not yet received an official response from the US regarding the latest proposals for a peace plan. President Zelenskyy noted that certain signals are coming through the negotiating team.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Berlin for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Witkoff will meet with Zelenskyy and European leaders as Washington pushes for a coordinated plan to end the war.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed a peace plan for Ukraine and the use of frozen Russian assets. The parties agreed that Europe would support Ukraine in achieving a just peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced upcoming meetings in Berlin with representatives of US President Donald Trump and European partners. The negotiations will concern a political agreement on ending the war and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Ukraine has presented an updated peace plan that excludes the abandonment of Donbas and retains the right to join NATO. This proposal is a response to Donald Trump's 28-point plan, which caused shock in Europe.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has canceled a planned visit to the United States to participate in European discussions on the peace process in Ukraine. He will join talks in Berlin, where other European leaders and high-ranking officials will also be present.
Foreign policy advisers from the US, Ukraine, Germany and other countries will continue talks on a peace plan for Ukraine in Berlin. The talks will take place ahead of a summit involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
European officials are concerned that a new US-initiated peace deal in Ukraine could allow Russia to use a demilitarized zone to re-invade Donbas. Moscow demands the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, while Kyiv refuses to cede territory.
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Berlin. Witkoff will also hold meetings with counterparts from France, Great Britain, and Germany.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Berlin this weekend to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. He will also hold meetings with his counterparts from France, Great Britain, and Germany.
President Zelenskyy announced the preparation of a defense group in Germany, which will work on the details of security guarantees for Ukraine. The group will be headed by Lieutenant General Hnatov and will include representatives of the Ukrainian army, intelligence, and security forces.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on December 15 for an exchange of views on peace talks and economic issues. European leaders and representatives of the EU and NATO will join the discussions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to visit Berlin on Monday. He will meet with the German Chancellor and representatives of Great Britain and France.
Leavitt said talks are ongoing and the US could send its representative to those talks this weekend "if there's a real chance of a peace deal being signed. "
Senior officials from the United States, Ukraine, France, Germany, and Great Britain will meet on Saturday, December 13, in Paris. They will discuss US President Donald Trump's peace plan, which includes territorial losses for Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that "we are Russia's next target" and called for an immediate increase in defense spending. He emphasized that Putin is engaged in empire-building, and China, North Korea, and Iran support his aggressive stance.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that the European side has submitted proposals for a peace plan for Ukraine to the United States. Negotiations with the American side could take place this weekend and continue next week in Berlin.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had a "constructive" conversation with US President Donald Trump, where they discussed Ukraine and a possible meeting in Berlin. Merz emphasized that Ukraine must decide on concessions, and also criticized Putin and supported the use of frozen Russian assets.