European leaders convene for crucial discussions on Ukraine as Zelenskyy states US talks were ‘challenging’ – Europe live
Berlin’s vital discussions on Ukraine are set to commence. Here’s the lineup for tonight’s pivotal EU-Ukraine-US negotiations in Berlin, spearheaded by Germany’s Friedrich Merz. Leaders assemble for a family photograph at the Chancellery in Berlin, discussing ways to conclude the protracted war between Russia and Ukraine. Photograph: Kay Nietfeld/AFP/Getty Images
Back row: Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre, Nato’s Mark Rutte, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the Netherlands’s Dick Schoof, and Sweden’s Ulf Kristersson.
Front row: Finland’s Alexander Stubb, Poland’s Donald Tusk, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US envoy Steve Witkoff, US president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.
Not captured, but anticipated (hence the British flag): UK’s Keir Starmer.
ShareUpdated at 18.29 GMTKey events15m agoEuropean leaders express ‘significant progress’ on Ukraine discussions and outline major next steps, but ‘nothing agreed until everything is agreed’29m agoBerlin discussions ‘opportunity for further essential progress’ on Ukraine, Starmer and Rutte assert32m ago‘The frontline is everywhere,’ new MI6 chief cautions about rising Russian threat37m agoPutin is ‘prolonging negotiations’ regarding Ukraine, MI6 leader warns53m agoLeaders arrive for Berlin discussions — in photographs1h agoBerlin’s pivotal meeting on Ukraine is about to commence1h agoUtilizing Russian frozen assets to support Ukraine remains complicated as opposition to the EU’s proposal rises — snap analysis2h agoA noticeable shift in tone is evident, but we are not finished yet — snap analysis2h agoDespite encouraging US rhetoric, it seems Ukraine and the US are still quite distant from a comprehensive agreement — snap analysis2h agoMerz indicates that the EU’s approach on frozen Russian assets is just one possibility under voting regulations2h agoUkraine seeks clarity on guarantees before considering territorial requests, says Zelenskyy2h agoMerz commends fresh momentum in Ukraine discussions, US security assurances, with ‘a chance for a genuine peace process’3h agoUS officials provide briefing on discussions with Ukraine — summary3h agoRussia is open to Ukraine’s EU membership, claim US officials4h agoZelenskyy refers to talks with the US side as ‘challenging’ but ‘productive’4h agoUkraine negotiator mentions ‘substantial progress’ in second round Berlin discussions5h agoSyrian confesses to a lethal knife attack in Austria5h agoSpain imposes €64m fine on Airbnb for unauthorized rental listings6h agoRussia claims $230bn in damages from Euroclear over confiscated assets7h agoUkraine-US discussions in Berlin conclude, states Zelenskyy’s office8h agoNato’s Rutte will participate in Berlin discussions, alliance confirms8h agoEU’s von der Leyen to attend Berlin meetings, commission confirms8h agoUS invited to tonight’s discussions between Zelenskyy and European leaders, Germany states8h agoUkraine-US negotiations resume on second day – report9h agoAdvancing the EU strategy to fund Ukraine with frozen Russian assets ‘won’t be straightforward,’ EU foreign policy chief comments amid pushback from Belgium9h ago’A significant amount of work is underway,’ says Zelenskyy following a morning talk with Finland’s Stubb9h agoUkraine still seeks ‘Article 5-like’ security guarantees, claims Zelenskyy9h agoUkraine’s non-joining of Nato remains a principal concern for Russia, Kremlin asserts10h agoMorning opening: Critical junctureShow key events onlyPlease enable JavaScript to utilize this featureEuropean leaders express ‘significant progress’ on Ukraine discussions and outline major next steps, but ‘nothing agreed until everything is agreed’Recently, the German government released a statement on behalf of the European leaders participating in the Berlin discussions. The statement indicates that they welcome “significant progress” in – notably – “Trump’s efforts to achieve a fair and enduring peace in Ukraine,” and agreed to collaborate with Trump and Zelenskyy “to attain a sustainable peace that maintains Ukrainian sovereignty and European security.”They particularly emphasize their intent to “offer robust security guarantees and economic recovery assistance measures for Ukraine.”Specific proposals highlighted in the statement include “continued and significant support for Ukraine in building its armed forces,” to a peacetime size of 800,000 personnel, “to adequately deter conflict and defend Ukraine’s borders.”The statement further notes that “a European-led multinational force in Ukraine” would play a role in “helping to strengthen Ukraine’s forces, secure Ukraine’s airspace, and ensure safer maritime environments,” operating “within Ukraine” (far from any potential frontlines).The leaders also discuss establishing “a US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification system with international involvement” to “provide early warning of any future assaults” and facilitate accountability for any violations to ease the situation.Critically for Ukraine, they additionally request “a legally binding commitment” to “implement measures to restore peace and security in the event of a future armed attack,” utilizing armed forces, intelligence, logistical, economic, and diplomatic actions. Presumably, this is what Zelenskyy referred to as “Article 5-like” assurances.There is also further mention of “investing in Ukraine’s future prosperity,” and backing Ukraine’s accession to the EU. The document includes an essential caveat that “international borders must not be altered by force,” reiterating that any decisions on this matter must be made by the people of Ukraine, and only after “robust security guarantees” are established. “They acknowledged that certain matters would need to be addressed in the final phases of negotiations,” the document states.The leaders “made clear that, as in any negotiation, nothing is settled until everything is settled and that all parties must work diligently toward a resolution that could ensure a lasting end to the conflict,” it added.(The phrase ‘Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’ feels reminiscent of Brexit discussions.)Lastly, they urged Russia “to demonstrate a willingness to strive for a lasting peace” and agreed to “persist in applying pressure on Russia to prompt negotiations as swiftly as possible.”Your move, Moscow.(They don’t express it quite like that, but it’s reasonable to interpret that’s the underlying message.)ShareUpdated at 19.19 GMTBerlin discussions ‘opportunity to make further essential progress’ on Ukraine, Starmer and Rutte assertPrior to their arrival in Berlin, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer engaged in dialogue with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is also attending, to strategize for the evening. A spokesman from Downing Street stated:
“The leaders commenced discussions regarding the notable advancements realized recently on the peace initiative and concurred that tonight offers an opportunity for further vital progress at this crucial time for Euro-Atlantic security. Both leaders acknowledged the significance of continuing to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities while diplomatic efforts persist.”
Share‘The frontline is everywhere,’ new MI6 chief cautions about rising Russian threatDan SabbaghDefence and security editorIn other segments of her address, Metreweli noted that the UK is entering a new “age of uncertainty” where the standards for conflict are being rewritten, particularly considering broader Kremlin aggression post the invasion of Ukraine. The freshly appointed head of Britain’s MI6, Blaise Metreweli, delivered her inaugural public address in London. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/Reuters“The dissemination of chaos is an intentional element of Russia’s international engagement strategy,” the agency’s first female chief will assert, adding that “until Putin is compelled to alter his calculations,” this trend is likely to persist.She further cautioned:
“Yet, the response to the rising dangers we face cannot be the sole responsibility of the UK intelligence community. Society as a whole has a part to play. This encompasses efforts initiated in schools across the nation to ensure our youth are not misled by misinformation. Let’s all verify sources, evaluate evidence, and maintain awareness of algorithms that evoke strong responses, such as fear.
It also involves a broader societal understanding of our current environment – a world where terrorists plan against us, where adversaries instill fear, intimidate, and manipulate, and the frontline exists everywhere. Online, in our communities, within our supply chains, and in the perceptions and on the devices of our citizens.”
You can access her speech in full here.Similar observations regarding the magnitude of the threat, especially from Russia, are anticipated to be shared this evening by Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, the head of the defence staff. He is scheduled to state in a different address that “the present situation is more perilous than I have experienced throughout my career” and call for unified action across the nation to be “increasing our efforts.”SharePutin is ‘prolonging negotiations’ over Ukraine, MI6 chief warnsKiran StaceyReturning to the UK, Blaise Metreweli, chief of MI6, expressed that Vladimir Putin is “prolonging negotiations” concerning Ukraine, consistent with the spy agency’s ongoing evaluation that the Russian leader is not earnest about concluding the conflict, except under highly advantageous terms for the Kremlin. The new head of Britain’s MI6, Blaise Metreweli delivers her first public speech in London. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AFP/Getty ImagesShe accused Putin of propagating “historical distortions” while asserting that the UK’s backing for Ukraine would be steadfast, as “it is crucial not only to European sovereignty and security but also to global stability.”ShareLeaders arrive for Berlin discussions — in photographsGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz greets Jared Kushner and US envoy Steve Witkoff for a gathering with European heads of state and government, alongside representatives from the EU, US, and Nato, at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: Annegret Hilse/ReutersGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPAFrench president Emmanuel Macron is received by German chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Chancellery in Berlin. Photograph: John MacDougall/AFP/Getty ImagesPoland’s prime minister Donald Tusk is welcomed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Chancellery in Berlin. Photograph: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty ImagesShareJakub KrupaOh, to be a fly on the wall flag for these Zelenskyy/Witkoff interactions.Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and US special envoy Steve Witkoff converse at the Chancellery in Berlin, where they gather for discussions on how to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Photograph: Kay Nietfeld/AFP/Getty ImagesUkraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US special envoy Steve Witkoff engage in conversation as they convene for a family photograph at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: Lisi Niesner/ReutersUkraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff shake hands while assembling for a family photo at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: Lisi Niesner/ReutersUkraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and US special envoy Steve Witkoff pose for a family photograph at the Chancellery in Berlin. Photograph: Lisi Niesner/AFP/Getty ImagesShareUpdated at 18.37 GMTBerlin’s critical meeting on Ukraine is about to commence. Here’s the lineup for tonight’s pivotal EU-Ukraine-US discussions in Berlin, helmed by Germany’s Friedrich Merz. Leaders gather for a family snapshot at the Chancellery in Berlin, where they deliberated on methods to settle the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Photograph: Kay Nietfeld/AFP/Getty Images
Back row: Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre, Nato’s Mark Rutte, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the Netherlands’s Dick Schoof, and Sweden’s Ulf Kristersson.
Front row: Finland’s Alexander Stubb, Poland’s Donald Tusk, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US envoy Steve Witkoff, US president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.
Not pictured, but also anticipated (hence the British flag): UK’s Keir Starmer.
ShareUpdated at 18.29 GMTUtilizing Russian frozen assets to support Ukraine remains complex as opposition to the EU’s proposal grows — snap analysisJakub KrupaIt’s also essential to underscore Merz and Zelenskyy’s remarks regarding frozen Russian assets. Expect this matter to dominate tonight’s gathering with other European leaders in Berlin as they attempt to discover a path forward before this week’s European Council. The dissent isn’t limited to Belgium – primarily impacted due to Euroclear – but includes Malta, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and, importantly, heavyweight Italy, which seem to oppose the proposal. This is why the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, indicated earlier today that achieving agreement on this matter could be challenging this week (11:52)Russian frozen assetsUnquestionably, both Merz and UK’s Starmer had aimed to persuade Belgium’s prime minister Bart de Wever to rescind his opposition during their private dinners on the previous two Fridays before the roster of opposing nations expanded, but this hasn’t materialized. The complicating factor well persuading him to shift is the finding that 67% of Belgians back de Wever’s principled stance, according to a recent Le Soir-RTL-Ipsos-Het Laatste Nieuws-VTM poll. However, Merz accurately points out that realistically it’s either this or nothing (18:21), and you can see his argument asserting that the EU’s credibility to act in a way that genuinely influences outcomes is at stake here – merely days after Trump criticized EU officials for being overly talkative without making impactful decisions. One situation to monitor.ShareThere is a noticeable shift in tone, but we’re not there yet — snap analysisJakub KrupaFrom the European perspective, this Merz/Zelenskyy press conference displayed some notably more optimistic language regarding the possibility of reaching an agreement, particularly on critical issues like future security guarantees for Ukraine. Merz and Zelenskyy, along with Finland’s Alexander Stubb and other leaders, asserted that a ceasefire or some form of agreement is closer than it has ever been. And that might hold some truth. However, major areas continue to create distance between the two sides, and importantly, it remains uncertain which aspects of what was discussed or tentatively agreed in Berlin will endure through a US debrief with the Russians. They had previously conveyed a clear lack of enthusiasm for numerous European or Ukrainian concepts.Both leaders appeared cautious about pledging commitments that might not materialize or provide enough deterrence against Russia from attempting further aggression toward Ukraine. Merz’s reference to earlier Minsk agreements (18:07), along with Zelenskyy’s insistence on receiving “Article 5-like” guarantees articulated in detail before he engages on contentious issues such as territories (18:13) deliver a distinct message here. It suggests that more details need to be made public – and a political commitment, including from Donald Trump – for further movement on this topic. However, it is significant that Merz took the time to commend the US president for his resolve to reach a resolution, just one day after he cautioned in a domestic address concerning the end of Pax Americana and the pressing necessity to shift Germany’s perspective on its security and future. “The prolonged era of Pax Americana is largely behind us in Europe, and for us in Germany too. It is not existent as we once understood it. And nostalgia won’t change that,” he stated on Sunday in Munich. The Europeans face a complex balancing act as they must navigate how to move past that nostalgia toward the US while confronting the increasingly pressing new paradigm regarding their own security choices, all while maintaining a close working relationship with the US administration if they wish to find a way forward on Ukraine. A challenging path ahead, indeed. ShareUpdated at 17.42 GMTEven with encouraging US rhetoric, it appears that Ukraine and the US are still quite distant from a comprehensive agreement — snap analysisAndrew Roth in WashingtonI’m just off a call with US officials regarding Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s talks with the Ukrainians and European teams in Berlin, which included nearly eight hours of meetings with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. German chancellor Friedrich Merz greets US negotiator Jared Kushner and US special envoy Steve Witkoff at the Chancellery for meetings with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photograph: Bundesregierung/Getty ImagesWhile the exchanges were characterized as fruitful, particularly concerning future US-mediated security assurances for Ukraine, it sounds as though the teams remain quite far from a thorough peace agreement, with considerable disparities persisting regarding the future of the occupied Ukrainian territories, as well as essential topics like the future operations of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility. The US delegation affirmed optimism. The officials declared that they are “90%” close to a deal between Ukraine and Russia — in particular, the US team asserted that they had crafted “Article 5-like” security guarantees for Ukraine that had satisfied both Kyiv and the Europeans (we will see how the Europeans respond to this). The US officials stated they would hold back details of the security guarantees for now, but that it would incorporate “very strong safeguards” to avert the resumption of hostilities if a deal is reached. Nevertheless, the US won’t be deploying troops to Ukraine as per the officials, indicating that they’ll need to expand on details to persuade skeptics about the respect for those “Article 5-like” assurances in the coming years. Many uncertainties persist. The primary concern is territory. It was clear from the conversation that there is no agreement yet on who would control which territories following a peace accord and how that territory would be recognized. One US official mentioned they had “brainstormed” about transforming the occupied Ukrainian areas into an “economic free zone” and they had dedicated “considerable time attempting to specify what that would entail, and how it functions.” Thus, significant discussions remain in play, and the US representatives acknowledged that they might not be able to finalize that matter: “Ultimately, if we can specify that, then it will really necessitate [Russia and Ukraine] to address the final matters of sovereignty and determine if an agreement can be achieved between them.” The US officials indicated they would return to working groups in the US over the weekend, but they’re prepared to travel to Russia or Ukraine in the future if a deal can be established. ShareUpdated at 17.24 GMTMerz indicates EU plan on frozen Russian assets is merely one potential option under voting regulationsInterestingly, when queried about the utilization of frozen Russian assets, which continues to face resistance from several member states, Germany’s Merz suggested that it is the only viable option the EU can realistically pass, as alternative proposals—such as new borrowing—would necessitate unanimity and would effectively be obstructed by dissenters like Slovakia or Hungary. During a distinct appearance alongside Zelenskyy today, Merz underscored that the EU’s credibility is at risk if member states fail to work together to reach a resolution on this matter at this week’s European Council. He cautioned that “the European Union’s capability to intervene will be severely impaired for numerous years, if not more, and we will demonstrate to the world our inability to unite and act at such a crucial juncture in our history.”Share
Published: 2025-12-15 19:19:00
source: www.theguardian.com
