Berlin is expected to host a second day of intensive talks on Monday between the American and Ukrainian delegations, along with Kyiv’s European allies.

While U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff—who co-leads the American delegation alongside President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner—described Sunday’s discussions as positive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that his country is willing to give up its aspiration to join NATO in exchange for U.S. and European security guarantees, provided they are ratified by the U.S. Congress.

Territorial Concessions and Security Guarantees

However, key points of contention remain unresolved. Chief among them is Ukraine’s refusal to comply with Washington’s request to withdraw its forces from parts of the eastern Donbas region still under Ukrainian control.

European and Ukrainian officials have also demanded clarity on how the U.S. would respond if Russia were to violate a peace agreement and attack Ukraine again.

According to The Wall Street Journal, these two issues—territorial concessions and security guarantees—will be central to today’s talks in Berlin.

“It Was Difficult”

A source familiar with Sunday’s negotiations described them as difficult, noting that the U.S. side appeared unwilling to revise its 20-point draft peace proposal, which includes a clause requiring Kyiv to relinquish Donbas.

Despite agreement on some issues—such as capping Ukraine’s peacetime armed forces at 800,000 troops—Kyiv rejected Washington’s demand to give up territory in Donetsk, which remains under Ukrainian control.

Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that territorial concessions are “extremely sensitive and controversial.” Under Ukrainian law, the president cannot cede territory; such a decision must ultimately be made by the Ukrainian people through a referendum.

Meanwhile, the UK, France, and other European capitals have developed detailed aid plans for Ukraine, including the potential deployment of a reassurance force in the country. These plans have been discussed with U.S. military officials, though Washington has yet to make a political decision on the level of support it will provide, according to Ukrainian and European sources.

Donbas: A Knot, Not a Deal

On the other side, Russia’s position remains unchanged. Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov stated Sunday that Moscow would strongly oppose the inclusion of proposals from Kyiv and Brussels in the peace plan. He added that Ukraine would never regain Crimea or achieve NATO membership.

Russia is also expected to object to any provisions calling for a demilitarized zone in Donetsk.

Ushakov and other Russian officials have signaled their firm stance on maintaining control over the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.