Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported the absence of an agreement with the American side regarding the territorial settlement of the war with Russia. The head of state made this statement during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, where negotiations involving the Ukrainian delegation are currently taking place.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Negotiations in Berlin: Territorial Issues Remain Open
According to Zelensky, the Ukrainian delegation is actively working to achieve a result that aligns with the interests of the Ukrainian people. He emphasized that there are still fundamental disagreements between Kyiv and Washington regarding territorial issues, but expressed hope that American partners will consider Ukraine’s position conveyed during personal negotiations.
“The Ukrainian delegation is working almost around the clock to achieve a result that will respect the people of Ukraine… There has not been enough dialogue regarding territory. And I feel that for now we have different positions (with the American side – ed.), to be frank. But I believe my colleagues heard my personal position. I am very glad that I could personally convey this position. However, everyone is ready to work productively to find a solution that respects Ukraine.”
The president stressed that in the new drafts of the peace plan, “destructive” issues that did not contribute to reaching agreements have been removed. At the same time, the issue of territorial integrity remains a subject of further discussions.
Zelensky also noted that the United States acts as a mediator in seeking consensus, not demanding concessions from Ukraine on territorial issues. He emphasized that the key demands regarding territories come specifically from the Russian Federation, not the US.
Security Guarantees and Prospects for Peace Settlement
The president paid special attention to the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine, calling them “very good,” but noted that there are still some aspects that require clarification. In particular, this concerns the mechanisms for monitoring compliance with the ceasefire, the format of control, and sanctions measures in case of violations.
Zelensky emphasized that the question of who will monitor the ceasefire—military personnel, technological means, or a combination of both—is currently being worked on by specialists, and Ukraine is awaiting their proposals for further negotiations.
On December 14-15, the Ukrainian delegation led by President Zelensky held a series of meetings in Germany, including with US Special Representative Steve Vitkoff and Jared Kushner. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, who was also present, described these negotiations as constructive and stated that they allowed for “real progress.”
On the evening of December 15, a meeting between Zelensky and leaders of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the European Commission, the European Council, and NATO is scheduled, indicating further involvement of international partners in seeking ways to end the war.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the negotiations in Berlin were difficult, and the American side has not shown readiness for compromise regarding its version of the peace proposal. In recent weeks, the US has been making efforts to reach an agreement between Ukraine and Russia, preparing a document that better aligns with Ukrainian interests, although several contentious issues remain, primarily regarding territory and security guarantees.
Earlier, President Zelensky emphasized that the final decision on possible territorial compromises should be made by the people of Ukraine—through elections or a referendum. Meanwhile, the Kremlin traditionally insists on its claims regarding the Donbas region, stating that “the entire Donbas is Russian.”