U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced progress on Ukraine’s security guarantees following extensive talks with European leaders in Berlin, according to statements released Wednesday.
Trump on Berlin Discussions
President Trump said “we had very long and good talks” in Berlin, praised European lawmakers for supporting peace and highlighted discussions with President Putin. He announced that the U.S. and European leaders would provide Ukraine with “solid security guarantees” akin to NATO’s Article 5, and pledged that Europe would be an essential component of that support.
Zelensky on Proximity
President Zelensky declared that “we are close” to an agreement on Ukraine’s security guarantees, stressing that the proposal must receive congressional approval. He added that a peace plan had not yet been set, noting the current document is a draft, and that Kyiv and the U.S. endorse a Christmas‑time ceasefire suggested by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelensky warned that if Moscow rejects diplomatic efforts, Ukraine will seek additional sanctions and reiterated that Kyiv will never recognize Donbas as Russian territory. He said the Berlin documents require further refinement and that American officials will soon discuss with Russia, hoping for a meeting with President Trump.
Tusk’s Post‑Meeting Commentary
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he felt all parties were acting as allies from the same camp. He noted it was the first time U.S. negotiators explicitly mentioned committing to Ukraine’s security guarantees in a way that would assure Russia that a U.S. response would be military if Ukraine were attacked again. Tusk highlighted the breakthrough that Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe are unified, adding that German Chancellor Merz stressed the “now have a chance for a real peace process for Ukraine,” a hope that remains small but tangible.
