The negotiations over the war in Ukraine are at a critical juncture, as Volodymyr Zelensky is in Berlin for talks with European leaders, while the United States pressures for an expedited agreement that could lead to the cessation of hostilities. Despite public mentions of progress, the territorial issue remains open and challenging.

According to information from Reuters, after two days of talks between American and Ukrainian officials in Berlin, Ukrainian negotiators made clear to the American side that further discussions are needed. Although Ukraine’s Defense Minister and chief negotiator Rustem Umerov spoke of “real progress,” an American official said that key issues remain unresolved.

“In the last two days, the Ukrainian-American negotiations have been constructive and productive, and real progress was made. The American team led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner is working extremely constructively to help Ukraine find a way to a permanent peace agreement,” wrote the Ukrainian chief negotiator on X.

The territorial issue remains a central point of contention. According to the same source, American negotiators insisted that Ukraine must agree to withdraw troops from the Donetsk region, considering this issue crucial for the Russian side. Donbas remains one of the main fronts of the war, with Moscow controlling much of the area.

It is recalled that last week the head of the Russian armed forces stated that Russian forces are advancing along the entire frontline and that additional reserves have been deployed in cities in the Donetsk region.

Alongside the Ukraine–US talks, a meeting of European leaders hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is taking place in Berlin, in a clear show of support for Kyiv. Apart from Volodymyr Zelensky, the French President Emmanuel Macron, who will arrive Monday evening in Berlin, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as the heads of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Mark Rutte, are participating in the talks.

A spokesperson for the German government mentioned that the working dinner also invited Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, though their attendance has not been confirmed.

On the negotiation table remain, besides the territorial issue, the future size and structure of the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as the framework of security guarantees that Kyiv’s allies could provide in case of an agreement. Talks continue, with Berlin temporarily becoming the central diplomatic stage for the next phase of the war.

Germany and Ukraine agree on cooperation in arms systems
Meanwhile, according to BILD, citing German government sources, Ukraine and Germany agreed on a 10-point plan:

• Regular high-level consultations on defense policy via the Ministries of Defense of both countries
• Creation of a liaison office for the Ukrainian defense industry in Berlin (Ukraine Freedom House) to improve networking with German companies and simultaneously strengthen contact points for the German security and defense industry in Ukraine, also through the German embassy in Kyiv
• More personnel and responsibilities for the German military attaché’s office at the Kyiv embassy, continuous exchange of views on weapons needs
• New flagship projects for joint research, development, and production of weapons. These projects aim to utilize the leading role of the Ukrainian industry in drones and related technologies
• Continuous transfer of technology through even more joint defense operations with mutual exchange. This also means producing defensive equipment developed in Ukraine in Germany
• Building a large weapons supply alliance with European partners for Ukraine’s benefit, partly including equipment manufactured in Ukraine
• Integration of the Ukrainian industry into the pan-European defense market
• Possible use of federal guarantees for investments in the defense industry in Ukraine
• Continuous information exchange on frontline events. Plans include the transmission and use of recorded digital battlefield data from Ukraine, as well as sharing practical experience regarding the deployment of German defense technologies in Ukraine
• Creation of a special anti-corruption safeguard for arms agreements with Ukraine