Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (right) met at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, December 15, 2025.Image: keystone
December 31, 2025, 7:53 p.mDecember 31, 2025, 7:53 p.m
According to his own statements, US special envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the next steps towards an end to the war in Ukraine with the foreign policy advisor to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), Günter Sautter, and other representatives of Europe. Witkoff wrote on
.@SecRubio @jaredkushner and I just had a productive call with National Security Advisors Jonathan Powell of the United Kingdom, Emmanuel Bonne of France, Günter Sautter of Germany, and @rustem_umerov @ZelenskyyUa to discuss advancing the next steps in the European peace process.…
— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) December 31, 2025
Another topic was how Ukraine, which has been under attack by Russia for almost four years, can develop successfully and resiliently after the end of the war. “Many more details were discussed and we will continue this important work and coordination in the new year,” wrote Kickoff.
“Coalition of the Willing” meets on January 3rd
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj had previously announced that a meeting of national security advisers from the “Coalition of the Willing” was planned for January 3rd in Ukraine. A meeting at the head of state level should then follow on January 6th. Western countries that also support Ukraine militarily see themselves as a “coalition of the willing”.
The secretary of Ukraine’s National Security Council, Rustem Umjerov, wrote on With regard to the meeting on January 3rd, he added: “The participation of representatives of more than ten countries is expected, as well as NATO, the European Commission and the European Council.” The partners from the USA should be connected online.
I briefed the President of Ukraine @ZelenskyyUa on the results of a phone call with our American and European partners.
From the US side, the call included @SecRubio Marco Rubio, @SEPeaceMissions Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. From the European side, it included national…
— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) December 31, 2025
According to information on In addition to Umjerow and Sautter, British security advisor Jonathan Powell and Emmanuel Bonne from France were also connected from Europe, Witkoff wrote.
Just before Christmas, representatives from the USA and Europe met in Florida for three days of negotiations. At this point, Witkoff had already spoken of multilateral security guarantees and US security guarantees. (sda/dpa)