In Berlin, negotiations to end the Ukraine war have commenced with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj, his team, and the US delegation initially meeting privately. Selenskyj indicated willingness to abandon Ukraine’s NATO membership ambitions in favor of bilateral security guarantees from the US and European partners, aiming to prevent further Russian invasions. This marks a significant shift as Ukraine had long sought NATO membership as a protection measure. However, Selenskyj firmly rejected Russia’s demand for Ukrainian troop withdrawal from Ukrainian-controlled territories in Donetsk and Luhansk.

Russia, represented indirectly, remains inflexible on territorial demands and tempered expectations ahead of the talks. Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov expressed skepticism about constructive outcomes, emphasizing Putin’s refusal to compromise on territorial claims. While talks continue at various diplomatic levels, official Russian representatives are not participating. The Ukraine and European partners seek revisions to a peace plan previously proposed by US President Donald Trump, but details of the discussions have not been made public.