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Ukraine prepares for key Berlin talks, Zelensky says

14.12.2025 10:40
Ukraine is preparing for a series of high-level meetings with representatives of the United States and European countries in Berlin in the coming days, President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed.
Anti-drone nets hang taut along a road in the city of Izyum of Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine, 12 December 2025, amid the Russian invasion. The installed nets are one of the few effective defenses against Russian FPV drone attacks.
Anti-drone nets hang taut along a road in the city of Izyum of Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine, 12 December 2025, amid the Russian invasion. The installed nets are one of the few effective defenses against Russian FPV drone attacks.Photo: EPA/SERGEY KOZLOV

In a statement published on social media on Saturday, Zelensky said the talks would focus on security guarantees, the reconstruction of Ukraine and the outline of a political settlement to end the war.

He announced that Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council chief, Rustem Umerov, along with the country’s negotiating team, would present a report on contacts held so far with international partners.

According to the president, Ukraine’s military leadership, including the Chief of the General Staff, General Andrii Hnatov, and officials from the defence and security sector, are "working on the details of security guarantees for Ukraine, for Ukrainians."

"At the same time, Ukrainian government officials continue discussions with the United States and Europe on the real recovery and real development of Ukraine after the war."

Zelensky also confirmed planned meetings with representatives of US President Donald Trump, as well as talks with European leaders aimed at reaching a political agreement to bring the war to an end.

He reiterated that Ukraine was seeking a "dignified" peace and firm assurances that Russia would not launch "a third invasion".

The Ukrainian delegation, he said, would work in Berlin "as actively and constructively as possible" with all parties capable of making an agreement viable.

Germany earlier said it would host US and Ukrainian delegations over the weekend for ceasefire talks, ahead of a summit in Berlin on Monday involving European leaders and President Zelensky.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also spoke on Saturday about progress on US-led peace proposals and the possible use of frozen Russian sovereign assets to help fund support for Ukraine.

A Downing Street spokesperson said both leaders agreed the coming period was "a pivotal moment for Ukraine’s future” and that Europe would continue to stand with Kyiv "for as long as it takes to achieve a just and lasting peace".

(ał)

Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters