BERLIN (AP) - U.S. envoys have arrived in Berlin on Sunday morning for a new round of negotiations aimed at achieving a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Among those present are U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who were seen during their visit to downtown Berlin as reported by the German news agency dpa.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that there will be a series of meetings in the following days involving Ukrainian, U.S., and European officials in Berlin. In a recent address to the nation, Zelenskyy emphasized, “Most importantly, I will be meeting with envoys of President Trump, and there will also be meetings with our European partners, with many leaders, concerning the foundation of peace – a political agreement to end the war.”
The Biden administration has been attempting to find a balance between the differing demands of the involved parties as Trump advocates for a swift conclusion to Russia’s aggression while expressing growing frustration over the ongoing delays in the negotiations. There have been several significant hurdles in searching for a potential compromise, particularly concerning the control of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, predominantly occupied by Russian forces, and the security guarantees required by Ukraine.
Zelenskyy stated, “The chance is considerable at this moment, and it matters for our every city, for our every Ukrainian community. We are working to ensure that peace for Ukraine is dignified, and to secure a guarantee – a guarantee, above all – that Russia will not return to Ukraine for a third invasion.”
Tough Obstacles Remain
Russian President Vladimir Putin has laid out key conditions for peace, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from areas still under their control in the Donetsk region and the abandonment of Kyiv’s aspirations to join NATO. Ukraine has firmly rejected these demands.
Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, commented that Russian police and national guard troops would remain in parts of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, even if it were to become a demilitarized zone as part of a peace agreement. This is likely to be rejected by Ukraine as discussions continue under U.S.-led negotiations. Ushakov advised that finding a compromise could be a lengthy process, noting that U.S. proposals accommodating Russian demands have been worsened by amendments suggested by Ukraine and its European allies. “We will strongly insist on our considerations,” Ushakov added.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has been at the forefront of European efforts to support Ukraine alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed concerns during a party conference in Munich. He stated, “The decades of the ‘Pax Americana’ are largely over for us in Europe and for us in Germany as well,” warning that Putin’s ultimate goal is “a fundamental change to the borders in Europe, the restoration of the old Soviet Union within its borders.” Merz highlighted the urgency of the situation by stating, “If Ukraine falls, he won’t stop.”
Ongoing Aerial Attacks
As the peace negotiations progress, Russia and Ukraine have exchanged further aerial attacks. Ukraine’s air force reported that, overnight, Russia launched ballistic missiles and 138 attack drones, of which 110 were intercepted. However, missile and drone strikes were noted to have hit six locations in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy confirmed that many families in the south, east, and northeast regions were still without power as efforts continued to restore electricity, heat, and water following a significant attack the night before. He reported that, within the week, Russia had deployed over 1,500 strike drones, nearly 900 guided bombs, and 46 missiles of various types against Ukraine.
In response, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported downing 235 Ukrainian drones late Saturday and early Sunday. Meanwhile, reports emerged of drone attacks from Ukraine targeting an oil depot in Uryupinsk in the Volgograd region, causing a fire. Additionally, explosions occurred in the town of Afipsky in the Krasnodar region, where Ukrainian drones allegedly attacked a nearby oil refinery, leading to shattered windows in surrounding residential areas without damage reported to the refinery.
