US and Ukraine hold marathon peace talks in Berlin, more meetings planned

High-level delegations from the United States and Ukraine convened in Berlin on Sunday for extensive talks centered on a potential peace plan to end the war with Russia and related economic agendas. The meeting, which lasted over five hours, involved Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and senior advisor Jared Kushner, among others.

Focus on detailed peace and economic discussions

According to a readout shared by Witkoff, representatives held "in-depth" discussions regarding Ukraine's 20-point peace proposal and economic matters. The statement noted that "a lot of progress was made," and the teams agreed to meet again on Monday morning to continue their work. Zelenskyy's arrival in Berlin signals a concentrated diplomatic push ahead of critical European engagements.

Context of Germany's hosting role

Germany is serving as a key diplomatic hub for these consultations, which precede a broader summit scheduled for Monday evening. That larger gathering is expected to bring together Zelenskyy, European leaders, and representatives from the EU and NATO. It remains uncertain whether US officials will participate in the multilateral summit following their bilateral sessions with the Ukrainian team.

Strategic timing and ongoing diplomatic momentum

The marathon bilateral session underscores the intensified diplomatic efforts to align US and Ukrainian positions on the core elements of a potential settlement. The talks occur amid parallel European initiatives and reflect a concerted attempt to build a cohesive Western strategy as pressure mounts to find a viable path to a ceasefire and lasting peace.