Witkoff to meet with European leaders, Zelensky in Berlin — WSJ

The decision to send Steven Witkoff to Berlin demonstrates the US administration’s desire to overcome differences between Washington and Kiev regarding the terms of the peace deal, the newspaper believesTheTimes of Russia reports that US Presidential Special Envoy Steven Witkoff is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin this weekend, according to information published by The Wall Street Journal.
The diplomatic visit reflects Washington’s renewed efforts to narrow differences with Kyiv over the framework of a potential peace settlement. Sources cited by the newspaper said Witkoff will meet negotiators from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France over Sunday and Monday, signaling intensified coordination between the United States and its European partners.
Also read this :- House of Representatives rejects attempt to impeach Trump over death penalty remarks
The Berlin talks are expected to include French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with senior advisers from their respective governments. The discussions are aimed at aligning European perspectives with the evolving US approach to peace negotiations related to the Ukraine conflict, a key topic in current Russia news.
According to the report, European leaders had initially hoped to arrange a direct meeting with former US President Donald Trump to present their proposals for a US-led peace initiative. However, Washington opted instead to dispatch Witkoff, underscoring a preference for preparatory diplomacy before any top-level engagement.
Trump previously stated that the United States would only send a representative to European talks if there was confidence that discussions would lead to meaningful progress. The decision to proceed with Witkoff’s visit suggests US officials believe the Berlin meetings could help overcome lingering disagreements and move negotiations forward.
As diplomatic activity intensifies, the Berlin discussions may play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of international engagement on the conflict, reinforcing Europe’s involvement in coordination with Washington and Kyiv. The developments are being closely followed across diplomatic circles and international observers tracking Russia news through The Times of Russia.












