Zelenskyy Hints at Peace Concessions: 'There will be Compromises' Ahead of Critical Berlin Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that there will be compromises regarding peace proposals on how to end the war with Russia, ahead of scheduled talks in Berlin with American and European partners.

Zelenskyy's Stance on Settlement:

• Flexibility (Compromises): Zelenskyy confirmed that "there will be compromises" on ending the war.

• Security Guarantees: He viewed Ukraine's acceptance of security guarantees from the US and European partners, instead of NATO membership, as a compromise on Kyiv's part.

• Ceasefire: He described a ceasefire along the current lines of contact as a "fair option."

• The Land Issue (Red Line):

  • Zelenskyy stressed that the issue of territory "remains a sticky and highly sensitive issue."

  • He called Russia's demand for Ukraine to withdraw from parts of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk an "unfair option" and legally unacceptable, having previously stated he could not constitutionally concede any land.

Upcoming Berlin Meetings:

• US Participants: Axios reported that White House Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will meet with Zelenskyy in Berlin on Sunday.

• European Partners: US officials will hold separate meetings with the National Security Advisors of Germany, France, and the UK.

• Negotiation Background: The Trump administration previously presented a peace proposal demanding Kyiv concede the Donbas region and drop its NATO aspiration—two key demands long held by Moscow.