Russia has signaled its openness to Ukraine joining the European Union as part of a potential peace deal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, according to U.S. officials. This indication comes following discussions in Berlin involving U.S. envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alongside representatives from Britain, France, and Germany.
U.S. officials, who briefed reporters under the condition of anonymity, described Russia’s willingness to consider Ukraine’s EU membership as a significant concession. Historically, Russia has maintained a neutral stance regarding Ukraine’s EU aspirations, suggesting a shift in its diplomatic approach. The U.S. has also committed to offering unspecified security guarantees to Ukraine as part of the negotiations, although officials warned that these guarantees would not be available indefinitely.
The discussions wrapped up on Monday, December 15, 2025, as Ukraine is under pressure from the U.S. to quickly accept a U.S.-brokered peace deal while managing an assertive posture from Moscow. Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, noted on social media that “real progress” had been made during the talks, which included a lengthy session on Sunday followed by a 90-minute meeting on Monday.
The talks addressed several contentious issues, particularly the control of the eastern Donetsk region, which is largely occupied by Russian forces. President Zelenskyy has expressed a willingness to forgo Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership if security assurances comparable to those enjoyed by NATO members are provided by the U.S. and its allies. However, Ukraine continues to prioritize NATO membership as the most robust defense against further Russian aggression, despite a lack of unanimous support from all allied countries.
Russia has made it clear that any peace agreement would require Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the parts of Donetsk still under Ukrainian control. President Zelenskyy is adamant that any Western security guarantees must be legally binding and backed by the U.S. Congress.
The Kremlin welcomed the opportunity to be briefed on the discussions held in Berlin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that predicting a timeline for a peace agreement is challenging, emphasizing that President Vladimir Putin is open to serious discussions for peace, but not to tactics perceived as delaying the process.
While diplomatic efforts continue, drone strikes between the two nations persist. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that 153 drones were launched by Russia overnight, with 133 successfully intercepted. Additionally, Russian defense officials claimed to have destroyed 130 Ukrainian drones during the same period, highlighting the ongoing intensity of military operations.
Zelenskyy’s agenda on Monday included meetings with various European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed his attendance in Berlin later in the day.
The German Chancellor’s spokesperson, Friedrich Merz, noted that the question of security will ultimately determine whether the conflict can reach a sustainable resolution. Meanwhile, the head of the UK’s intelligence agency, Blaise Metreweli, is expected to address the broader implications of Russia’s actions on global security.
As the situation evolves, the international community remains focused on the potential impacts of these negotiations, which could reshape the geopolitical landscape in Europe and beyond.
