U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior European leaders in Berlin this weekend, the White House said, as Washington intensifies efforts to push forward talks to end Russia’s war with Ukraine.
The meeting follows the release last month of a U.S.-backed 28-point peace proposal that has drawn criticism in Kyiv and European capitals for reflecting key Russian demands, including potential territorial concessions by Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have since sent Washington an updated version, prompting a renewed burst of diplomacy with European allies.
A White House official confirmed on Friday that Witkoff will hold talks with Zelensky and European leaders to assess the state of negotiations. Germany said Berlin will host further discussions early next week involving EU and NATO leaders, after Zelensky attends a German-Ukrainian business forum with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
One element under discussion is Ukraine’s possible fast-tracked accession to the European Union, potentially as early as January 2027, according to a senior official. EU membership typically takes years and requires unanimous approval from all 27 member states, with Hungary among the most vocal opponents.
European leaders and Kyiv are also pressing Washington for binding security guarantees before any territorial concessions are considered. Moscow, which has cautiously welcomed the original U.S. plan, warned that proposed revisions could complicate an already lengthy process.
