German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that the European Union will participate for the first time in peace talks scheduled to take place in the US on December 20-21. Envoys from President Donald Trump plan to hold consultations with both the Russian and Ukrainian delegations.
This is reported by Kyiv24
EU Participation and Key Participants in the Talks
According to the Chancellor, EU representatives will join the talks in the US, which is expected to ensure a unified position among America, Europe, and Ukraine regarding ways to resolve the war initiated by Russia. Merz emphasized the importance of maintaining unity among Western allies and noted that Russia’s response to these initiatives is currently unknown.
“Now we need to wait and see what will be discussed in the United States over the next few days. Representatives from our side will participate. I am confident that we will maintain a consensus approach among America, Ukraine, and Europe. And we will have to see how Russia behaves,” stated the head of the German government.
The Chancellor also stressed that EU countries must be prepared for challenging scenarios, including long-term funding for Ukraine. He reported that the European Union’s decision has secured funding for Ukraine for the next two years, with 90 billion euros allocated for 2026-2027.
Negotiation Plan and Positions of the Parties
According to Western media, the Russian delegation will meet with US representatives in Miami, Florida, to discuss possible ways to resolve the war between Russia and Ukraine. The Russian side is expected to be represented by the special envoy of the President of the Russian Federation, Kirill Dmitriev. The American delegation will be led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Jared Kushner’s advisor.
The US is expected to brief the Russian side on the outcomes of the latest rounds of negotiations with Ukraine and the European Union. Before meeting with the Russians, the Americans are to consult with the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov. Currently, no direct meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations is planned.
Recently, the United States has intensified efforts to achieve a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv. Following prolonged negotiations, the parties have prepared a document that largely reflects the Ukrainian position; however, several contentious issues remain, particularly regarding territorial integrity and security guarantees.