Trump Declares Ukraine Peace Deal 'Closer Than Ever' Following Berlin Talks

Progress in Berlin Towards Ukraine Peace

Former US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, December 15, 2025, that a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is 'closer now than we have been ever'. His remarks followed extensive talks in Berlin involving US and European officials, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, indicated he had 'very long and very good talks' with Zelenskyy and leaders from Britain, France, Germany, and NATO.

The discussions in the German capital, which included Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, reportedly yielded significant progress. US officials indicated that approximately 90% of the issues within a US-authored peace plan had been addressed.

Key Elements of the Proposed Deal

A central component of the negotiations revolved around establishing 'robust security guarantees' for Ukraine. These guarantees are described as 'NATO Article 5-like commitments', designed to include comprehensive monitoring mechanisms and measures aimed at preventing future aggression. European leaders, in a joint statement, proposed the formation of a 'multinational force' to ensure the enforcement of any potential peace agreement.

Beyond security, the talks also focused on plans for Ukraine's post-war recovery and economic reconstruction. Entities such as BlackRock and the World Bank are reportedly contributing pro bono to address financial aspects, including the utilization of frozen Russian assets, reconstruction funding, and long-term economic sustainability.

Lingering Challenges: Territory and Russia's Stance

Despite the reported progress on security and reconstruction, the issue of territorial concessions remains a significant hurdle. While Trump has suggested that Ukraine may need to cede territory, particularly in the Donbas region, President Zelenskyy has consistently rejected such an outcome. Russia, for its part, has signaled its intent to insist on its core demands, which include territorial claims and Ukraine's non-membership in NATO.

Russia was not a direct participant in the Berlin talks. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia was awaiting the concept being discussed by the US. Russia has yet to formally react to the latest proposals, having previously rejected key terms of earlier peace plans.

Ukrainian Public Sentiment

A recent poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) between November 26 and December 13, 2025, sheds light on Ukrainian public opinion. The survey revealed that 72% of Ukrainians are prepared to approve a peace plan that involves freezing the current front line with security guarantees, without officially recognizing occupied territories as Russian. However, a substantial 75% of respondents rejected any plan that would necessitate troop withdrawal from Donbas without concrete security assurances.