wellnessfitpro
Berlin crunch meeting on Ukraine about to get under way
And here is the cast for tonight’s crunch EU-Ukraine-US talks in Berlin, hosted by Germany’s Friedrich Merz.
-
Back row: Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre, Nato’s Mark Rutte, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the Netherlands’s Dick Schoof and Sweden’s Ulf Kristersson.
-
Front row: Finland’s Alexander Stubb, Poland’s Donald Tusk, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US envoy Steve Witkoff, US president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.
-
Not pictured, but also expected (hence the British flag): UK’s Keir Starmer.
Key events
-
European leaders welcome ‘significant progress’ on Ukraine talks and set out key next steps, but ‘nothing agreed until everything is agreed’
-
Berlin talks ‘opportunity to make further essential progress’ on Ukraine, Starmer and Rutte say
-
‘The frontline is everywhere,’ new MI6 head warns of growing Russian threat
-
Putin is ‘dragging out negotiations’ over Ukraine, MI6 chief warns
-
Leaders arrive for Berlin talks — in pictures
-
Berlin crunch meeting on Ukraine about to get under way
-
Using Russian frozen assets to fund Ukraine remains tricky as list of critics of EU’s proposal grow — snap analysis
-
There is notable change in tone, but we’re not there yet — snap analysis
-
Despite positive US rhetoric, sounds like Ukraine, US are still quite far from comprehensive deal — snap analysis
-
Merz suggests EU plan on frozen Russian assets is only one possible under voting rules
-
Ukraine needs clarity on guarantees before it can consider territorial asks, Zelenskyy says
-
Merz hails new momentum in Ukraine talks, US security guarantees, with ‘chance for real peace process’
-
US officials briefing on talks with Ukraine — summary
-
Russia open to Ukraine joining EU, say US officials
-
Zelenskyy says talks with US side ‘not easy’ but ‘productive’
-
Ukraine negotiator notes ‘real progress’ in second round Berlin talks
-
Syrian admits deadly knife attack in Austria
-
Spain fines Airbnb €64m for unlicensed rental listings
-
Russia seeks $230bn in damages from Euroclear over seized assets
-
Ukraine-US talks in Berlin end, Zelenskyy’s office says
-
Nato’s Rutte to attend Berlin talks, alliance confirms
-
EU’s von der Leyen to attend Berlin talks, commission confirms
-
US invited to this evening talks between Zelenskyy and European leaders, Germany says
-
Ukraine-US talks restart on second day – report
-
Moving ahead with EU plan to fund Ukraine using frozen Russian assets ‘won’t be very easy,’ EU foreign policy chief says amid Belgium’s opposition
-
‘Great deal of work under way,’ Zelenskyy says after morning talk with Finland’s Stubb
-
Ukraine still wants ‘Article 5-like’ security guarantees, Zelenskyy says
-
Ukraine not joining Nato fundamental issue for Russia, Kremlin says
-
Morning opening: Crunch time
European leaders welcome ‘significant progress’ on Ukraine talks and set out key next steps, but ‘nothing agreed until everything is agreed’
In the last few minutes, the German government has issued a statement on behalf of the European leaders taking part in the Berlin talks.
The statement says they welcome “significant progress” in – pointedly – “Trump’s efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” and agreed to work together with Trump and Zelenskyy “to get to a lasting peace with preserves Ukrainian sovereignty and European security.”
They say they are particularly looking to “provide robust security guarantees and economic recovery support measures for Ukraine.”
Some of the specific ideas put forward in the statement include “sustained and significant support for Ukraine to build its armed forces,” at a peacetime level of 800,000 soldiers, “to be able to deter conflict and defend Ukraine’s territory.”
The statement also says that “a European-led multinational force Ukraine” would be involved in “assisting in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, securing Ukraine’s skies, and supporting safer seas,” operating “inside Ukraine” (so, far away from any possible frontline).
The leaders also talk about a “US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism with international participation” to “provide early warning of any future attack” and be able to attribute any breach to de-escalate situation.
Crucially for Ukraine, they also call for “a legally binding commitment” to “take measures to restore peace and security in the case of a future armed attack,” through the use of armed forces, intelligence, logistical, economic and diplomatic actions. Presumably, that’s what Zelenskyy referred to as “Article 5-like” guarantees.
There is also further language on “investing in the future prosperity of Ukraine,” and supporting Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
The document also includes a critically important caveat that “international borders must not be changed by force,” and reiterated that any decisions on this issue must be taken by the people of Ukraine, and only once “robust security guarantees are in place.”
“They agreed that some issues would need to be resolved in the final stages of negotiations,” the paper says.
The leaders “were clear that as in any deal, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and that all parties must work intensively towards a solution that could assure a lasting end to the fighting,” it added.
(The phrase ‘Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’ is making me get flashbacks from Brexit talks.)
Finally, they call upon Russia “to show willingness to work towards a lasting peace” and say they agreed to “continue to increase pressure on Russia to bring Russia to negotiate as soon as possible.”
Over to you, Moscow.
(They don’t quite say that, but think it’s fair to say that’s what they mean.)
Berlin talks ‘opportunity to make further essential progress’ on Ukraine, Starmer and Rutte say
Before going to Berlin, UK prime minister Keir Starmer spoke with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, also attending, to discuss their strategy for the night.
A Downing Street spokesperson said:
“The leaders began by discussing the significant progress made in recent days on the peace plan and agreed that this evening is an opportunity to make further essential progress at this critical moment for Euro-Atlantic security.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to support Ukraine’s military capabilities to defend itself whilst the diplomatic talks continue.”
‘The frontline is everywhere,’ new MI6 head warns of growing Russian threat
Dan Sabbagh
Defence and security editor
In other parts of her speech, Metreweli said the UK faces a new “age of uncertainty” where the rules of conflict are being rewritten, particularly in light of wider Kremlin aggression after the invasion of Ukraine.
“The export of chaos is a feature, not a bug, in the Russian approach to international engagement,” the agency’s first female chief will argue, and “until Putin is forced to change his calculus” it is expected to continue.
She also warned:
“But the response to the increasing risks we face won’t be delivered by the UK intelligence community alone. Wider society has a role to play too. That includes work taking place in schools across the country so our children don’t get duped by information manipulation. Let’s all check sources, consider evidence, and be alive to those algorithms that trigger intense reactions, like fear.
It also means everyone in society really understanding the world we are in – a world where terrorists plot against us, where our enemies fearmonger, bully and manipulate, and the front line is everywhere. Online, on our streets, in our supply chains, in the minds and on the screens of our citizens.”
You can read her speech in full here.
Similar comments about the scale of the threat, particularly from Russia, are expected to be made this evening by Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, the chief of the defence staff.
He is due to say in a separate speech that “the situation is more dangerous than I have known during my career” and call for the country as a whole to be “stepping up”.
Putin is ‘dragging out negotiations’ over Ukraine, MI6 chief warns
Kiran Stacey
Back to the UK, Blaise Metreweli, the head of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, said Vladimir Putin was “dragging out negotiations” over Ukraine, in keeping with the spy agency’s long-standing assessment that the Russian leader was not serious about ending the war, except on very favourable terms to the Kremlin.
She accused Putin of engaging in “historical distortions” while insisting that the UK’s support for Ukraine would be enduring, because “it is fundamental not just to European sovereignty and security but to global stability”.
Leaders arrive for Berlin talks — in pictures
Jakub Krupa
Oh, to be a fly on the wall flag for these Zelenskyy/Witkoff exchanges.
Berlin crunch meeting on Ukraine about to get under way
And here is the cast for tonight’s crunch EU-Ukraine-US talks in Berlin, hosted by Germany’s Friedrich Merz.
-
Back row: Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre, Nato’s Mark Rutte, Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the Netherlands’s Dick Schoof and Sweden’s Ulf Kristersson.
-
Front row: Finland’s Alexander Stubb, Poland’s Donald Tusk, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US envoy Steve Witkoff, US president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.
-
Not pictured, but also expected (hence the British flag): UK’s Keir Starmer.
Using Russian frozen assets to fund Ukraine remains tricky as list of critics of EU’s proposal grow — snap analysis
Jakub Krupa
It’s also worth highlighting Merz and Zelenskyy’s comments on frozen Russian assets.
Expect the topic to dominate tonight’s dinner with other European leaders in Berlin, as they figure out if they can find a way forward ahead of this week’s European Council.
It’s no longer just Belgium – most affected because of Euroclear – but also Malta, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and, crucially, big hitter Italy that appear to be against the idea. That’s why the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said earlier today that it could be tricky to get it agreed this week (11:52)
Clearly, Merz and UK’s Starmer had hoped to convince Belgium’s prime minister Bart de Wever to drop his opposition during their private dinners on last two Fridays before the list of opposing countries got any longer, but it appears that is not happening.
What makes it trickier to get him to move is the fact that 67% of Belgians support de Wever’s principled position, a new Le Soir-RTL-Ipsos-Het Laatste Nieuws-VTM poll showed.
But Merz is also right to point out that in reality it’s either this or nothing (18:21), and you can see his argument that the EU’s credibility to act in a way that actually moves the dial is at stake here – just days after Trump criticised EU leaders that they talk to much, but don’t actually make decisions that matter.
One to watch.
There is notable change in tone, but we’re not there yet — snap analysis
Jakub Krupa
On the European side of things, this Merz/Zelenskyy press conference featured some notably more upbeat language on the ability to get to an agreement, including on the key issues such as future security guarantees for Ukraine.
Merz and Zelenskyy joined Finland’s Alexander Stubb and other leaders in claiming that a ceasefire, or a deal of sorts, is closer than ever. And it’s probably true.
But there are still important areas in which the two sides are apart, and, crucially, it remains to be seen which part of what was discussed or even provisionally agreed in Berlin survives a US debrief with the Russians. They had previously made it very clear that they were not keen on many European or Ukrainian ideas.
Both leaders also appeared to be wary of making promises that wouldn’t be kept or sufficient to deter Russia from having another go at Ukraine. Merz’s reference to previous Minsk agreements (18:07), and Zelenskyy’s insistence on seeing “Article 5-like” guarantees all in black and white before he commits on other thorny issues like territories (18:13) send a clear signal here.
It feels like we will need more details set out publicly – and political commitment, including from Donald Trump – for this issue to progress further.
But it’s notable that Merz went out of his way to praise the US president for his determination to reach a deal, just a day after he warned in a domestic speech about the end of Pax Americana and the urgent need to change the way Germany thinks about its security and future.
“The decades of Pax Americana are largely over for us in Europe, and for us in Germany as well. It no longer exists as we knew it. And nostalgia won’t change that,” he said on Sunday in Munich.
The Europeans face a really tricky balancing act as they need to figure out how to leave that nostalgia towards the US behind and face the increasingly urgent new reality in front of them when it comes to their own security decisions while also having no alternative to working very closely with the US administration if they are to have any hope of finding a way forward on Ukraine.
Not an easy one, that.
Despite positive US rhetoric, sounds like Ukraine, US are still quite far from comprehensive deal — snap analysis
Andrew Roth
in Washington
I’m just off a call with US officials on Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s discussions with the Ukrainians and European delegations in Berlin, which included nearly 8 hours of meetings with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
While the discussions were described as constructive in particular concerning future US-brokered security guarantees for Ukraine, it sounds like the sides are quite far from a comprehensive peace deal, with significant differences remaining on the future status of the occupied Ukrainian territory, as well as key issues like the future operations of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
The US delegation was upbeat. The officials claimed that they are “90%” of the way toward a deal between Ukraine and Russia — in particular, the US delegation claimed that they had developed “Article 5-like” security guarantees for Ukraine that had satisfied both Kyiv and the Europeans (we’ll see what the Europeans brief about that).
The US officials said they wouldn’t release details of the security guarantees yet, but that it included “very strong safeguards” to prevent the war from restarting if a deal is reached. That said, the US won’t be putting boots on the ground in Ukraine according to the officials, so they’ll have to release more details to convince skeptics that Russia will respect those “Article 5-like” guarantees in the future.
A lot of questions remain.
The main one is territory. It was clear from the call that there is not an agreement yet on who would control what territory after a peace deal and how that territory would be recognised. One US official said they had “brainstormed” on turning the occupied Ukrainian territory into an “economic free zone” and they had spent “a lot of time trying to define what that would mean, how it operates.”
So there’s a long way to go in those discussions as well, and the US officials admitted that they may not be able to get that issue across the line: “Ultimately, if we can get that defined, then it will really get to [Russia and Ukraine] to work out the final issues of sovereignty and to see if there’s a deal that can be done between them.”
The US officials said they’ll go back to working groups in the US this weekend, but that they’re ready to travel to Russia or Ukraine in the future if the deal can get done.
Merz suggests EU plan on frozen Russian assets is only one possible under voting rules
Interestingly, when asked about the use of frozen Russian assets which continues to be opposed by some member states, Germany’s Merz suggestions that it’s the only option that the EU can actually pass, as alternative proposals – including new borrowing – would require unanimity and be effectively blocked by dissenters, such as Slovakia or Hungary.
At a separate appearance alongside Zelenskyy earlier today, Merz said that the EU’s credibility was at stake if the member states fail to agree on a way forward on this issue at this week’s European Council.
He warned that “the European Union’s ability to act will be severely damaged for years, if not longer, and we will show the world that we are incapable of standing together and acting at such a crucial moment in our history.”
#European #leaders #gather #crunch #meeting #Ukraine #Zelenskyy #talks #easy #Europe #live #Europe
