European leaders hail progress on Ukraine peace talks
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European leaders welcomed what they described as “significant progress” in talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, with discussions for the first time outlining how strong security guarantees could prevent future Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a cautiously optimistic assessment of new proposals from US negotiators, which include NATO-style, Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine. Speaking after two days of talks in Berlin with US envoys and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelenskyy said the ideas looked “pretty good”, but stressed they remained a first draft.
Key issues, including the future of occupied territory in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s willingness to engage, remain unresolved. However, Merz described the proposals as “remarkable”, saying that for the first time since 2022 a ceasefire appeared conceivable and could be achieved by Christmas if Russia agrees.
European leaders, including the heads of government of Denmark, Finland, France, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Norway, joined EU leaders in endorsing the progress. A joint statement said the US and Europe were prepared to guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security, support a European-led multinational force, and help maintain a peacetime Ukrainian army of around 800,000 troops.
The plan also includes ceasefire monitoring, reconstruction support and continued progress towards EU membership, marking a notable shift after weeks of stalemate.
