On December 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin for meetings with US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also joined the negotiations. Berlin authorities raised the security level during Zelensky's visit.
Zelensky, speaking to journalists ahead of the meetings, openly stated for the first time his willingness to accept compromises in the peace process. He stressed that any plan must be fair to Ukraine and prevent renewed Russian aggression. The President noted that the US is suggesting compromises on the Donbas, and regarding NATO membership, Ukraine is ready to accept bilateral security guarantees.
Moscow reacted to these statements. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia is awaiting new proposals from the US, but viewed their potential content pessimistically. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia demands a system to guarantee the implementation of any agreements, warning of renewed hostilities otherwise.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the decisive importance of the current moment for Ukraine's future and continued European support. Chancellor Merz noted that if Ukraine falls, Russia will not stop there.
Hungarian and Slovak prime ministers Viktor Orban and Robert Fico criticized decisions on Ukraine funding and called for restoring relations with Russia after the war. The use of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine is also under discussion.
Overnight, Russian forces launched a massive attack on Ukraine: 138 drones and a ballistic missile were fired, with Ukrainian air defenses downing 110 targets. Infrastructure damage was reported in Odesa, and a strike in Zaporizhzhia injured 11 people, including children and first responders. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed strikes on Russian targets both inside Russia and in temporarily occupied areas.
Additionally, tragic news arrived from Australia: a shooting near a Sydney beach during Hanukkah celebrations left at least 12 people dead and 29 injured. The incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack.
