Ukraine summit in Berlin ++ Steinmeier receives Zelenskyj – US negotiators demand abandonment of Donbass ++ Live ticker | EUROtoday

For two days, Berlin would be the middle of worldwide efforts to finish the warfare in Ukraine. According to the federal authorities, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) will meet Zelensky on Monday for German-Ukrainian financial talks and an “exchange about the status of the peace negotiations”. Numerous European heads of state and authorities in addition to the heads of the EU and NATO are scheduled to hitch the talks on Monday night.

All occasions surrounding the warfare in Ukraine and safety coverage in Europe within the reside ticker:

1:37 p.m. – EU takes motion in opposition to Russian shadow fleet with sanctions

The European Union is taking motion in opposition to corporations and people who’re making an attempt to bypass Western sanctions with a shadow fleet of oil tankers. As an EU consultant stated on the sidelines of discussions between EU international ministers and as revealed within the EU’s official journal, the measures are aimed toward 9 so-called supporters of the shadow fleet. These are businessmen with connections to the Russian oil corporations Rosneft and Lukoil, in addition to transport corporations that personal and handle tankers. In addition, 14 folks and organizations are affected as a part of the EU sanctions in opposition to hybrid threats, stated the EU consultant.

1:15 p.m. – Steinmeier welcomes Zelenskyj to Bellevue Palace

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier formally receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj. In entrance of his official residence, Bellevue Palace, Steinmeier greets the visitor from Kiev with a handshake and a hug. Zelenskyj then signed the Federal President’s visitor e-book, after which the 2 heads of state retreated for a confidential dialog. After the appointment in Bellevue Palace, Zelenskyj shall be acquired by Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) and eventually by Friedrich Merz.

11:49 a.m. – Zelensky and Kushner arrived on the Chancellery

The diplomatic battle for a doable finish to the Ukraine warfare continues in Berlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and representatives of the US delegation arrived on the Chancellery within the morning. The US delegation is led by particular envoy Steve Witkoff and likewise contains Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Both sides had already negotiated for a number of hours on Sunday. Witkoff then commented positively.

11:30 a.m. – US negotiators proceed to name on Kiev to surrender Donbass

According to data from Kiev, the US negotiators proceed to name on Ukraine to surrender Donbass. This was introduced on Monday by a high-ranking consultant from Kiev, who was knowledgeable concerning the Berlin talks to finish the Russian warfare of aggression in Ukraine. The vital area in japanese Ukraine is just partially occupied by Russia.

10:41 a.m. – 3,600 cops visiting Zelensky – “Danger level 0”

3,600 cops from throughout Germany are defending the go to of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj and the discussions a couple of doable finish to the warfare in Ukraine in Berlin. Police officers from virtually all federal states in addition to the Federal Police would help Berlin, stated Berlin Police Chief Barbara Slowik Meisel within the Interior Committee of the House of Representatives.

She spoke of a “threat level 0” – i.e. nonetheless above safety degree 1 for very high-ranking state visitors. The federal authorities solely introduced on Friday night that Zelensky was coming a day earlier. This really led to organizational difficulties, stated Slowik Meisel. Because of the last-minute change to the go to, cops have been additionally known as into service from their supposedly secure free time. In addition to Zelensky, 13 different delegations must be accompanied. Security precautions embody closed streets and areas within the authorities district and round inns, particular police snipers, explosives detection canine on the streets and police boats on the Spree.

8:52 a.m. – EU international coverage chief: Donbass annexation is just step one for Putin

EU international coverage chief Kaja Kallas warns that taking up your complete Donbass area in japanese Ukraine shouldn’t be Russian President Vladimir Putin’s final objective. “We have to understand that if he gets Donbass, the fortress has fallen and then they will definitely move on to take the whole of Ukraine,” Kallas stated. “If Ukraine falls, other regions will also be in danger.”

8:22 a.m. – Wadephul sees Russia’s transfer in ceasefire talks

Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul sees Russia’s position in efforts to succeed in a ceasefire in Ukraine. With a view to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statements a couple of doable renunciation of NATO membership in alternate for safety ensures and talks primarily based on the present entrance line, the CDU politician stated on “Deutschlandfunk” on Monday: “If these are Ukraine’s offers, then that is a line that Russia can accept.” But Russia should know that Germany and Europe are on Ukraine’s facet. “We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that Ukraine can get into an optimal negotiating position and, in the event of failure, that it can continue to respond to this war of aggression and that it has all the necessary means to do so.”

8:17 a.m. – Laschet: Territory swaps don’t allow peace

The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Armin Laschet, calls on the Europeans to level out the hazards to the USA within the ongoing Ukraine negotiations. “Simply swapping territories doesn’t make peace possible,” stated the CDU politician on ARD concerning the corresponding US calls for on Ukraine. “Because this Donbass region … is strategically important for Ukraine to prevent it from being invaded again,” he added, referring to the American-Ukrainian talks in Berlin. “It will definitely be a crucial week.”

7:11 a.m. – Ex-US Ambassador: “It’s striking who can be seen where in this photo”

The former US ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, sees a altering understanding of roles within the battle for peace in Ukraine. “The symbolism of who can be seen where in this photo is striking,” he wrote on X and shared an image of the negotiations within the Chancellery. It exhibits Merz on the left facet of the desk, with Zelenskyj sitting proper subsequent to him. On the fitting facet of the desk sits the US delegation with negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

5:43 a.m. – Strack-Zimmermann warns of a particular German position

FDP international politician Strack-Zimmermann warns of a particular German position within the Ukraine negotiations. “It is good that there is talk about a possible peace. However, this must not be an exclusively German matter, but the whole of Europe must sit on the side of Ukraine,” stated Strack-Zimmermann to the “Tagesspiegel”.

“The attempt by both Putin and Trump to divide Europe is more obvious than ever. The Chancellor should not fall into this trap,” Strack-Zimmermann continued. With a view to the talks on Monday in Berlin, she stated: “The United States is sitting opposite the Ukrainians and is negotiating in the interests of Russia and apparently also in its own economic interests.”

05:35 a.m. – Melnyk requires EU troopers for Ukraine

The Ukrainian UN Ambassador Andrij Melnyk considers European participation within the navy securing of a future peace to be indispensable. “That could and perhaps should also include this military component. Without a military presence, a strong European presence in Ukraine, the whole thing will not be very sustainable,” he stated within the “Berlin Playbook Podcast” of the WELT accomplice publication “Politico”.

Sunday December 14th:

11:34 p.m. – Zelensky provides up becoming a member of NATO

Zelensky has given up on his nation’s want to hitch NATO. Alternatively, safety ensures from the USA in addition to European and different companions are a compromise, Zelensky defined in a WhatsApp chat with journalists on Sunday night. “From the beginning, Ukraine’s desire was to join NATO because these are real security guarantees.” But “some partners from the US and Europe did not support this path.”

10:04 p.m. – Witkoff sees “great progress” after Berlin assembly

US particular envoy Witkoff drew a optimistic conclusion from the primary spherical of talks with Zelensky in Berlin. “Great progress” had been achieved, Witkoff defined on According to the USA and Ukraine, the discussions will proceed on Monday.

8:59 p.m. – Zelenskyj leaves the Chancellery after 5 and a half hours

After talks with a US delegation, Zelensky left the Chancellery after round 5 and a half hours. It was initially unclear whether or not the negotiations between Americans and Ukrainians have been ongoing. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) had already left the federal government headquarters just a little earlier, it was stated.

8:38 p.m. – Pistorius: Ukraine spherical not ideally positioned – however a great signal

Federal Defense Minister Pistorius describes the composition of the Ukraine talks with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as not ultimate, however a great signal. “It is at least anything but an ideal setup for such a negotiation,” Pistorius instructed ZDF’s “heute journal”. “But as the saying goes? You can only dance with the people who are on the dance floor,” admitted the SPD politician.

4:39 p.m. – Discussions within the Chancellery have begun

In the Chancellery in Berlin, Ukraine President Zelensky, his negotiators and the US delegation are initially discussing the best way to proceed. After a brief greeting, Chancellor Merz withdrew from the negotiations within the Small Cabinet Room within the Chancellery. Merz’s international and safety coverage advisor, Günter Sautter, remained within the room as a sort of moderator.

12:06 p.m. – Kremlin expects “hardly anything good” from talks in Berlin

Russia expects “hardly anything good” from the Berlin negotiations. European and Ukrainian contributions to Trump’s peace plan are “unlikely to be constructive,” Putin adviser Ushakov instructed Russian state tv.

“Therein lies the problem,” stated Ushakov earlier than negotiations in Berlin between Ukrainians, Europeans and US representatives. At the identical time, he praised the truth that the US facet understood the Russian place. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can also be participating within the talks in Berlin.