Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Berlin on Dec. 14 as diplomatic efforts intensify to finalize a peace framework aimed at ending Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

The Berlin visit comes amid renewed negotiations following U.S. backing of an initial 28-point peace proposal, which drew criticism for pressuring Ukraine toward major concessions. After consultations with Ukrainian and European officials, the plan was revised and reduced to 20 points, reflecting Kyiv’s objections and concerns from European partners.

Ahead of the meeting, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is seeking strong, NATO-like security guarantees as part of any peace agreement to deter future Russian aggression. While full NATO membership remains opposed by the U.S. and several allies, Kyiv has emphasized the need for binding alternatives that would prevent a repeat of past security failures.

According to Axios, citing a senior U.S. official, the Trump administration may be open to providing Congress-approved security guarantees comparable to NATO’s Article 5 commitments. The official said Washington wants to offer assurances that are “not a blank check” but are sufficiently robust to encourage Ukraine to move forward, adding that such guarantees could be submitted to Congress for a vote.

Despite this, Washington has continued to pressure Kyiv to advance negotiations. U.S. President Donald Trump has recently accused Zelensky of resisting the American-backed plan, claims Kyiv has rejected.

Zelensky said the Berlin talks will focus on establishing “the foundation of peace — a political agreement to end the war,” and ensuring credible security mechanisms so that “the experience of the Budapest Memorandum and Russia’s invasion never happens again.”

Earlier this week, Ukraine and its European partners submitted revised proposals to Washington, seeking to amend provisions that would require sweeping territorial or political concessions. Zelensky said Kyiv has not yet received a formal U.S. response but remains open to dialogue.

During his visit, Zelensky is also expected to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and possibly other European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call with Zelensky ahead of the talks, reaffirming France’s support for a “robust and lasting peace” that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty and Europe’s long-term security.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Merz are also scheduled to attend meetings with Witkoff on Dec. 14 and 15.

“There won’t be a plan that everybody will like,” Zelensky said, stressing that any agreement must be just, effective, and capable of preventing renewed Russian aggression.

With NATO membership currently off the table, Ukraine is seeking bilateral, “Article 5-like” security guarantees from the U.S., European states, and other partners. Zelensky described this approach as a compromise and emphasized that any American guarantees must be approved by the U.S. Congress.

The Ukrainian president confirmed that Kyiv is not engaged in direct talks with Moscow, with Russian positions instead being conveyed through U.S. intermediaries.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia has not yet reviewed the Ukrainian and European revisions to the peace plan, but warned that Moscow would likely reject them. He added that Russia remains firm on territorial demands, including its insistence that Ukraine cede the entire Donetsk Oblast, even areas not under Russian control.

Addressing the Donbas issue, Zelensky said the only fair interim solution would be a ceasefire based on current front lines, with territorial disputes resolved later through diplomacy. He also said proposals for a demilitarized or free economic zone would only be acceptable if both sides withdraw forces symmetrically, noting that such ideas remain unresolved. (ILKHA)