By: The Trek News Desk
In a major diplomatic push to resolve the ongoing Ukraine war, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to travel to Germany this weekend for high-level talks in Berlin. Witkoff is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, along with several European leaders, to discuss the latest proposals for a peace agreement.
Sources indicate that Witkoff will review the newest draft of the peace plan with Ukrainian officials. The Trump administration is aiming for a deal to be in place by Christmas and has conducted multiple rounds of talks with both Ukrainian and Russian representatives in recent weeks, though no clear breakthrough has yet emerged.
Who Will Attend the Talks?
While the official list of European leaders participating in the Berlin meetings has not been confirmed, media reports suggest that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz may be present. The discussions come shortly after Ukraine submitted a revised 20-point peace proposal to the United States, updating the initial plan circulated in late November, which has already sparked intense diplomatic activity.
Eastern Ukraine Remains the Key Challenge
The most contentious issue in the negotiations continues to be the status of eastern Ukraine. Kyiv remains firm on not ceding territories illegally occupied by Russian forces, while Moscow has reiterated its intent to seize the Donbas region entirely if Ukraine does not withdraw.
Zelensky has publicly expressed scepticism over the latest U.S. proposal, which suggests converting the area into a “special economic zone” after Ukrainian forces pull back, effectively creating a demilitarised buffer. Zelensky questioned what would prevent Russia from advancing or infiltrating the area disguised as civilians.
Tensions Between Trump and European Allies
Although Ukraine and European partners have described the U.S.-led talks as productive, Trump’s impatience with Zelensky and his European backers has become apparent. In a recent interview, the U.S. president called European leaders “weak” and reiterated calls for Ukraine to hold elections. Zelensky responded that elections could be conducted within 90 days if security guarantees are provided by the U.S. and Europe. Elections have been suspended since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 under martial law.
Economic Pressure and EU Support
Preparations for a potential peace deal are also focused on financial and security support for Ukraine. The country faces a severe economic crisis, needing roughly €135.7 billion over the next two years. Meanwhile, EU member states have agreed to freeze approximately €210 billion of Russian assets indefinitely, a move that could allow the funds to be redirected to Ukraine if a deal is reached at next week’s EU summit. Russia has denounced this step as theft and has threatened legal action.
Ukraine’s Accelerated EU Membership
The latest draft of the peace proposal reportedly includes plans for Ukraine to fast-track its accession to the European Union. Brussels is said to support this idea, with Ukraine potentially becoming an EU member by January 2027. It remains unclear whether Washington has formally approved this provision.
Source: News Agencies
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