US President Donald Trump’s overseas envoy will travel to Berlin this weekend for high level talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior European leaders, as Washington pushes to secure a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine before Christmas.
Steve Witkoff, who has led the White House’s diplomatic outreach to both Kyiv and Moscow, is expected to present the latest version of a US backed peace proposal during meetings in the German capital, according to officials familiar with the plans.
The Berlin talks mark a critical moment in negotiations that have gathered pace in recent weeks but remain stalled over key issues, particularly the future of Russian occupied territory in eastern Ukraine.
The Trump administration has made clear it wants a framework agreement in place by the end of the year. Witkoff’s visit follows several rounds of discussions with Ukrainian and Russian representatives, though officials acknowledge that a breakthrough remains uncertain.
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported details of the meeting, said British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were expected to attend. European governments have yet to formally confirm the guest list.
Confirmation of the Witkoff Zelensky meeting comes days after Ukraine submitted a revised version of a 20 point peace plan to Washington. The proposal is the latest update to a draft first circulated in late November and has triggered a renewed burst of diplomatic activity across Europe and the United States.
The status of eastern Ukraine remains the most difficult issue in the talks. Kyiv has repeatedly ruled out ceding territory seized by Russian forces, while Moscow has stated it intends to take full control of the Donbas unless Ukrainian troops withdraw.
Zelensky has publicly expressed scepticism about the White House’s latest idea for addressing the territorial dispute. The proposal would see Ukrainian forces pull back from parts of the Donbas, with the area reclassified as a special economic zone.
Under the plan, the Kremlin would commit not to advance into the vacated areas, creating what would effectively be a demilitarised buffer between Russian controlled territory and Ukrainian defensive lines.
Speaking to reporters, Zelensky questioned the enforceability of the arrangement. “What will restrain Russia from advancing? Or from infiltrating disguised as civilians?” he asked, underscoring Kyiv’s concerns about security guarantees.
Ukraine and its European partners have said publicly that US led talks have been constructive, noting changes to early drafts that were widely viewed as favouring Moscow. Still, there are signs of mounting frustration in Washington.
Earlier this week, Trump criticised European leaders in an interview with Politico, describing them as weak and renewing calls for Ukraine to hold elections. National elections have been suspended since martial law was imposed following Russia’s full scale invasion in February 2022.
Zelensky responded by saying elections could take place within 90 days if Ukraine received sufficient security assurances from the United States and Europe.
As negotiations continue, European governments are also preparing for what comes after a potential ceasefire. Talks are ongoing over long term security guarantees and financial assistance for Ukraine, which faces a severe budget shortfall.
Meanwhile, reports suggest the latest peace draft envisions Ukraine joining the European Union on an accelerated timeline. The Financial Times said Brussels supports rapid accession, a proposal included in Kyiv’s submission to Washington.
Ukraine formally applied for EU membership days after the 2022 invasion. Despite early promises of a fast tracked process, accession had been expected to take several more years.
Under the proposal now circulating, Ukraine could become an EU member as early as January 2027, according to AFP, citing a senior official. It remains unclear whether the White House has endorsed that element of the plan.
Africa Digital News, New York
