Berlin: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday made an emphatic appeal for a “dignified peace” as Ukrainian, U.S. and European officials converged in Germany’s capital for a high-stakes round of negotiations aimed at charting an end to the war with Russia. Zelensky’s remarks underscored Kyiv’s insistence that any ceasefire or peace framework must guarantee that Russia never returns to attack Ukraine again a central condition for Ukraine’s continued engagement in talks.
With the conflict nearing its fourth year since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the diplomatic push in Berlin has taken on heightened urgency. Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to engage constructively but stressed that peace must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity. Ukraine has endured repeated Russian aerial and missile strikes that have damaged critical infrastructure and caused widespread power outages, intensifying the humanitarian toll of the war.
Senior envoys from the United States, including President Donald Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, arrived in Berlin to participate in intensive discussions with Ukrainian and European counterparts. These meetings precede a broader summit scheduled for Monday, hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which will bring together European partners to deepen coordination on diplomatic strategy and peace-planning efforts.
Zelensky earlier confirmed that he will meet with both U.S. and European officials in the German capital, signaling the importance Kyiv places on allied unity and sustained international support in crafting any potential agreement. Ukraine’s position reflects growing concern over proposals that have circulated in diplomatic channels, some of which entail tough compromises including questions about territorial control, NATO aspirations and the structure of security guarantees that Kyiv has so far resisted.
Despite the diplomatic flurry in Berlin, the war on the ground continues unabated. Russian forces have maintained pressure with drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, contributing to humanitarian strain and making the daily reality of conflict starkly evident even as diplomats negotiate. Ukrainian officials have underscored that a lasting peace must dismantle the cycle of assault and protect civilians from future aggression.
Moscow, meanwhile, has framed its own positions publicly in ways that analysts say reflect its strategic objectives, though it has not yet agreed to terms that satisfy Kyiv or its Western supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been engaged indirectly in the peace process through conversations with U.S. envoys, though such engagements have not yielded any major breakthroughs.
The Berlin talks mark a critical moment in international efforts to break the stalemate and find a path to ceasefire and peace. Zelensky’s insistence on dignity and guarantees reflects Ukraine’s broader diplomatic calculus one that seeks not only an end to hostilities but assurances that the nation’s independence and future security are safeguarded. European allies continue to explore mechanisms, including the use of frozen Russian assets, to support Ukraine’s financial and defense resilience as part of a comprehensive settlement.
As negotiations intensify, all eyes are on Berlin, where allies hope that coordinated diplomacy can transform years of grinding conflict into a new chapter of hope and stability for Ukraine and the broader region.