Witkoff Set to Meet Zelensky in Berlin as Diplomatic Push to End Ukraine War Intensifies

According to officials familiar with the plans, Witkoff will meet Zelensky in Berlin to discuss the latest version of a proposed peace agreement aimed at bringing an end to the nearly three-year-old war between Ukraine and Russia. Witkoff has been at the forefront of White House-led mediation efforts, holding multiple rounds of discussions with both Ukrainian and Russian representatives in recent weeks. The Trump administration is pressing for a breakthrough before Christmas, though progress so far has been limited and no deal appears imminent.

While final confirmation of participants is still pending, The Wall Street Journal reported that several senior European leaders are expected to attend the Berlin talks, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Their presence would underscore Europe’s central role in any future settlement and the growing urgency among Western allies to stabilize the conflict.

The confirmation of the Witkoff-Zelensky meeting follows Ukraine’s recent submission of a revised 20-point peace plan to Washington. The proposal, which first surfaced in late November, has undergone multiple revisions and has sparked intense diplomatic activity across capitals in Europe and the United States. Ukrainian officials have described the document as an attempt to clarify Kyiv’s core demands while keeping negotiations alive.

Even as diplomatic channels remain active, the military situation has sharply deteriorated. Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia launched a large-scale overnight assault targeting the country’s southern regions. President Zelensky said civilian facilities, including energy and industrial infrastructure, were hit during the barrage. More than 450 drones and over 30 missiles were reportedly used, leaving at least two people injured and cutting electricity to thousands of residents across seven regions.

Russia’s defence ministry confirmed the strikes, stating that advanced weaponry, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, was deployed. These missiles are considered particularly difficult to intercept due to their ability to change course mid-flight.

The escalation also raised fresh concerns over nuclear safety. The International Atomic Energy Agency said Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant temporarily lost all external power overnight as a result of widespread military activity damaging the electrical grid. Power has since been restored. Although the plant, located in Russian-controlled territory, is not currently operating, it depends on a continuous electricity supply to cool its reactors and maintain safety systems.

Meanwhile, the conflict’s impact was also felt inside Russia. In the Saratov region, Governor Roman Busargin said two people were killed after a Ukrainian drone strike hit a residential building, highlighting the widening geographical reach of the war.

As diplomats gather in Berlin to explore pathways toward peace, the latest wave of attacks serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. With civilian infrastructure under strain, nuclear safety concerns resurfacing, and casualties mounting on both sides, the outcome of these talks could prove pivotal in determining whether the conflict moves closer to resolution or continues its destructive course into another year.