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Berlin Summit Yields Security Guarantees for Ukraine, Potential Ceasefire on the Horizon
Berlin, Germany – A summit held in Berlin on Monday brought together European leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and, virtually, US President Donald Trump to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and potential paths to a ceasefire. The meeting concluded with a joint statement outlining a framework for lasting peace, contingent upon verifiable commitments from Russia.
Key elements of the proposed security guarantees include a European-led military mission, with U.S. support, operating inside Ukraine to deter further aggression. Participants also pledged to assist Ukraine in maintaining a standing army of 800,000 soldiers in peacetime.
European leaders emphasized that any decisions regarding territorial concessions will be made solely by the Ukrainian people and only after robust security guarantees are in place. The statement, endorsed by leaders including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, remains open for additional countries to join.
“For the first time since the start of the war, a ceasefire seems possible,” stated German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “We want to pursue the path of peace together with the Ukrainians, our European partners, and the United States. I believe that today, in Berlin, we are taking an important step forward on this path.”
The statement welcomed progress made by President Trump in facilitating a fair and lasting peace, noting close cooperation between the Ukrainian and American teams. Leaders pledged to work with both Zelenskyy and Trump to achieve a lasting peace that ensures Ukraine’s sovereignty and European security. They stressed that positions on the issue are largely aligned between the United States, Ukraine, and Europe.
Leaders also clarified that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and reiterated the importance of long-term security guarantees.
The onus is now on Russia to demonstrate a willingness to pursue a lasting peace by accepting President Trump’s peace plan and committing to a ceasefire. Leaders agreed to continue increasing pressure on Moscow to engage in genuine negotiations.
The summit followed two days of negotiations between Ukrainian and American delegations. However, reports suggest the US is pushing Ukraine to withdraw from Donbas.
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