U.S. Envoys Lead Fresh Diplomatic Push in Berlin for Ukraine Peace Talks
BERLIN — Senior U.S. envoys landed in Berlin on Sunday to join a new round of high-level discussions aimed at advancing a peace settlement in Ukraine, marking a renewed effort to bring the nearly four-year conflict closer to an end
President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, accompanied by senior adviser Jared Kushner, arrived for a series of meetings with Ukrainian and European counterparts on Sunday and Monday. These talks follow months of international diplomatic activity focused on forging a framework to halt Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, which began with the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Senior Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored the importance of securing a “dignified” peace that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty and prevents future aggression. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. and European representatives during the Berlin discussions, which are being hosted by the German government.
European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, are participating in the meetings alongside Witkoff and Kushner. The gatherings aim to align Western partners on the key elements of a peace proposal, even as Kyiv and Washington continue to negotiate the contours of such a plan.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, hostilities persist on the ground. Both Ukraine and Russia have carried out recent drone and missile strikes, causing significant damage to infrastructure and disrupting essential services. These developments highlight the urgency and complexity of achieving a negotiated end to the war.
Key issues remain unresolved, including proposals related to Ukrainian territorial integrity, security guarantees, and Russia’s demands for concessions. With these challenges ahead, the Berlin talks represent an important — though uncertain — step in the ongoing international effort to secure a lasting peace
