Russia Open to Ukraine EU Membership as Peace Talks Intensify
UPDATE: Russia has signaled a willingness for Ukraine to join the European Union as part of a potential peace agreement, according to U.S. officials following urgent talks in Berlin on December 15, 2025. This development marks a significant concession from Moscow amid ongoing discussions aimed at ending the war.
The discussions included U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders over the past two days. U.S. officials described the offer as a major step forward, though they cautioned that the United States would not extend security guarantees to Kyiv indefinitely.
These critical negotiations come as Ukraine faces intense pressure from Washington to accept a U.S.-brokered peace deal while contending with an increasingly aggressive Moscow. Zelenskyy’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, reported “real progress” during the talks, which spanned approximately 90 minutes after a five-hour session the previous day.
The U.S. government confirmed on social media that “a lot of progress was made” in these negotiations. However, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges, particularly regarding control of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, largely occupied by Russian forces.
Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to reconsider Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership if Western nations provide security guarantees comparable to those offered to NATO allies. Nevertheless, Ukraine still prefers NATO membership as the most reliable safeguard against further Russian aggression.
Despite this, the Ukrainian government firmly opposes U.S. suggestions to cede territory to Russia, a demand that remains central to the Kremlin’s conditions for peace. Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted that Ukraine withdraw its forces from the remaining areas of the Donetsk region under its control.
As these negotiations unfold, Zelenskyy is also engaging with German and other European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron is set to travel to Berlin later today to join discussions on security concerns that will ultimately dictate whether a cessation of hostilities can be achieved.
Speaking on the negotiations, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz‘s spokesperson highlighted that “the issue of security in particular will ultimately determine whether this war actually comes to a standstill and whether it flares up again.”
In a related statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the complexities of predicting the timing for a peace deal, affirming President Putin’s openness to “serious decisions” but cautioning against any delays in negotiations.
The backdrop of these diplomatic efforts is heightened by ongoing military tensions. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 153 drones overnight from Sunday into Monday, successfully neutralizing 133 of them while 17 drones struck their targets. In response, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the destruction of 130 Ukrainian drones during the same period, further escalating the conflict.
As the situation develops, the international community continues to watch closely, with rising concerns about Russia’s implications for global security. The urgency of the negotiations underscores the fragile state of peace in the region, with the potential for significant shifts in alliances and power dynamics.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation evolves.
