President Volodymyr Zelensky and German leader Friedrich Merz both struck a positive tone during the press conference they held before the dinner in Berlin.
"We have seen a strong diplomatic momentum in recent days, perhaps the strongest since the start of the war," said Merz.
He stressed that a ceasefire and a future peace agreement are based on essential security guarantees from the United States and Europe. And the European leaders issued a joint statement with a proposal on the subject: an international force that is proposed to be led by European countries, with support from the United States. The force will, among other things, assist in the reconstruction of the Ukrainian defense and secure the country's airspace.
Trump: Good conversation
Washington has not previously given any guarantees of such support. Nor is it a signatory to today's statement, which is being made with the presence of American negotiators in Berlin.
The leaders in Berlin spoke with Donald Trump during the evening, who told reporters at the White House that the talks were "very good."
I think we're getting closer. I think we're closer now than ever before.
In their written statement, the European leaders mention “significant support” for Ukraine to build up its defenses, which according to the plan in peacetime should consist of 800,000 soldiers. The countries will also sign a binding commitment to assist in the event of any future armed attacks, and they also give strong joint support for Ukrainian membership of the EU.
90 percent agree
The leaders – including Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer – also welcome “President Trump’s efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
However, Zelensky admits that Ukraine and the United States have "different positions" on Russian demands that Ukraine give up territories.
According to sources within the American delegation, the parties are in “90 percent agreement.” But what remains is the crucial issue of Donbass, from which the United States continues, according to the sources, to demand that Ukraine “withdraw.”
"We have had enough dialogue about territory and we quite honestly have different opinions," Zelenskyy said at the press conference.
