Zelenskyy and European leaders to meet in Berlin on December 15

As efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine Warcontinue, the diplomacy of European leaderswho wish to contribute to the peace plan is also gaining momentum. German GovernmentSpokesperson Stefan Kornelius stated that ChancellorFriedrich Merz will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the capital, Berlin, on December 15,confirmingthat the Merz-Zelenskyymeetingstated that efforts to achieve peace in UkraineandGerman-Ukrainian economic relations will be discussed.

Kornelius noted that in the evening, a meeting on Ukraine will be held with the participation of EU and NATO representatives and leaders of European countries.The meeting is expected to be attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, as well as Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NorwegianPrimeMinister Jonas Gahr Støre, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

European leaders are discussing the Russia-Ukraine waraimed at ending the conflict,regarding the U.S. peaceplan, which includes establishing a ceasefire to end the war in Ukraine, providing security guarantees for Ukraine,and ensuring Europe's rolein the negotiations.the protection of their interests is importantthey emphasize. According to European leaders,the people in Ukraineshould not be forced into a peace agreementthat they do not want,and President Zelenskyy should not be pressured.

German Chancellor Merz, in a statement regarding this matter,Inthe statement, he said, "It would be a mistake to force the President of Ukraine into a peace that his people will not support after fouryears ofpain and death." Merz, in his assessment of the potential territorial concessions mentioned in the latest textconveyed by the Ukrainian side to the U.S.administration, stated,"Here what is particularly important is the question of what territorial concessions Ukraineis prepared to make. However, those who must answer this question are, first and foremost, the President of Ukraineand the Ukrainian people," he had said.

regarding the peace agreement aimed atending the Russia-Ukraine War,discussionsareContinuing their negotiations, European countries are, on theother hand, also seeking ways to support Ukraine andimpose additionalsanctionson Russia.GermanChancellorChancellor Merz, regarding this matter, pointing to the European Council meetingto be held next week, stated that he believes a decision could be reachedon using frozen Russian assetsfor Ukraine. Merz said, "Currently, I am confident that sufficient funding for Ukraine for the first quarterof 2026will be secured."is there, but the truth is that for the entire year of 2026we have not yet securedfunding, and therefore we need additional resources throughout 2026. The only thing that can be foreseen might be the guarantees we need to provide regarding the use of Russian assets," he said.