US envoy Witkoff to meet Zelenskyy and European leaders in Berlin – WSJ

Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin this coming weekend, the WSJ reports.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, citing sources

Quote from the WSJ: "[This is] a crucial encounter as the White House presses for a deal halting the war with Russia before the year's end."

Details: The newspaper reports that French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are expected to participate in the talks with Witkoff in Berlin.

Previously:

• Earlier, German government officials stated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to arrive in the German capital on Monday 15 December.
• The invitation followed a tense phone call on Wednesday between Merz, Macron, Starmer and Donald Trump, during which the parties sought to overcome differences over the direction of peace efforts.
• Trump later acknowledged there had been disagreements, saying that "pretty strong words" were exchanged during the conversation, highlighting differences over the approach supported by the US.

Background:

• The day before, Trump claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was allegedly the only one who disliked the Washington-proposed plan to end the war, while those around him supported the proposal.
• He also confirmed his intention to contribute to providing security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement.

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