President Trump said Monday that an end to the Ukraine war is "closer than ever" after two days of Berlin talks represented by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. U.S. officials say roughly 90% of issues between Moscow and Kyiv have been resolved, with territory the main sticking point. A detailed set of "Article 5"-style security guarantees was drafted to deter aggression — without U.S. troops — but officials warned the offers are time-limited. Discussions also touched on reconstruction financing and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Trump Says End To Ukraine War 'Closer Than Ever' After Berlin Talks; U.S. Advances Time-Limited Security Guarantees
Apartment buildings damaged by a Russian military strike in the frontline town of Dobropillia, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, on December 9. - Anatolii Stepanov/Reuters
President Donald Trump said Monday that an end to the war in Ukraine is "closer than ever" after two days of negotiations in Berlin that included European officials, Ukrainian representatives and U.S. delegates. The United States was represented at the talks by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who reportedly relayed developments to the president during the day.
Progress Reported, But Key Issues Remain
U.S. officials said roughly 90% of outstanding issues between Moscow and Kyiv have been resolved, with territorial concessions identified as the principal remaining obstacle. Officials described several "thought-provoking" ideas to break the impasse, including the proposal of an economic free zone, but emphasized that final decisions on sovereignty and borders must be settled directly between Russia and Ukraine.
Security Guarantees: What They Would Do — And What They Wouldn't
Delegates hammered out a more detailed package of "Article 5"-style security guarantees designed to deter further aggression, provide deconfliction mechanisms and monitor any peace agreement. U.S. officials confirmed the guarantees would not include U.S. boots on the ground and declined to provide exhaustive operational specifics. They said the package would also spell out consequences if Russia violated the terms.
"This is the most robust set of security protocols they have ever seen. It is a very, very strong package," one senior U.S. official said.
Timing, Political Hurdles And Next Steps
Officials cautioned that the U.S.-backed offers are time-limited — "not on the table forever" — and said President Trump is prepared to bring the guarantees before Congress. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the proposals as "significant" in material and legal terms. U.S. officials also reported that Russia signaled some openness to Ukraine joining the European Union as part of any comprehensive agreement.
Other Topics Discussed
Talks in Berlin also covered plans for Ukraine's reconstruction financing, with a BlackRock team meeting Ukrainian officials about potential support, and the unresolved fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. U.S. envoys Witkoff and Kushner remain prepared to travel to Russia if further direct discussions are required.
While U.S. officials described substantial progress, they stressed that finalizing territorial and sovereignty issues would require direct agreement between Moscow and Kyiv. The administration characterized its role as facilitator, offering a detailed, time-sensitive package of guarantees intended to make a negotiated peace more viable.
