U.S. officials said President Trump ordered efforts to broker a "lasting and durable" peace between Ukraine and Russia after intensive talks in Berlin. The proposal centers on a "very, very strong" security package with oversight and deconfliction measures, and includes economic support planning led by a BlackRock team working with the World Bank. Officials said Europe is deeply engaged and the U.S. is prepared to travel to Moscow or Kyiv to advance a final agreement. Conversations remain ongoing.
U.S. Officials Say Berlin Talks Yield 'Very Strong' Security and Economic Package to Seek Lasting Ukraine–Russia Peace
U.S. officials met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian delegation Sunday for nearly six hours, and spent more than two hours with them Monday.
U.S. officials said President Donald Trump has directed them to help facilitate a "lasting and durable" peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation after intensive negotiations in Berlin over the weekend.
Officials summarized the discussions at a Monday briefing, saying U.S. representatives spent nearly six hours with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s delegation on Sunday and more than two hours in follow-up meetings on Monday with Ukrainian and European security officials.
Focus On Security Guarantees
According to U.S. officials, the central element of the proposal is a robust set of security guarantees intended to deter further incursions and provide oversight and deconfliction mechanisms. One official described the package as "very, very strong," and said the discussions centered on how to punish or otherwise address any violations.
"President Trump's very focused on reaching a conclusion to this conflict that really stops the Russians from moving west," an official said, adding that past administrations had not halted Russian advances in the same way.
Economic Support And International Coordination
Officials also discussed Ukraine's economic challenges. They said asset manager BlackRock has assembled a pro bono team working with the World Bank to assess and help address Ukraine's financial obstacles. The aim, they said, is to ensure Ukraine can be militarily and economically viable and a reliable partner for Europe.
The official added that President Donald Trump’s focus on the deal has been to ensure "robust security so that this war really ends and that this will not happen again."
"We went extensively through all the different financial borders that Ukraine currently faces," an official said. European participants, officials added, repeatedly emphasized that a stable, solvent Ukraine is critical to European security.
Diplomatic Steps And Next Moves
U.S. officials said the package includes "Article Five–style" guarantees and mechanisms that would increase oversight and accountability. They expressed hope that Russia might accept terms that would leave Ukraine free to pursue closer ties with Europe; one official said Russia has indicated it could be open to Ukraine joining the European Union.
Officials emphasized that the U.S. is not pressuring Ukraine on territorial decisions: any final choices about territory would be made by Ukraine. They described the effort as a coordinated U.S.–European push, singling out cooperation with Germany, the United Kingdom and France.
Conversations are ongoing. Officials said multiple options have been presented to bridge the remaining gaps between Kyiv and Moscow, and that U.S. envoys are prepared to travel to Russia or Ukraine if necessary to advance a deal.
Disclaimer: These details reflect statements by U.S. officials at the briefing and have not been independently verified. Negotiations and responses from Russia and Ukraine remain fluid.
