The Ukrainian side is ready to continue working with maximum quality, constructively and honestly, so that the final agreement on establishing peace is strong. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this in Berlin during a joint press conference with Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz.
The Head of State thanked Germany for the opportunity to reinvigorate efforts toward peace and expressed hope that the negotiations taking place these days would bring it closer.
“We feel that our partners listen to Ukraine, are ready to help, and are prepared to seek solutions that can make peace dignified and security guaranteed. I want to emphasize this once again – and I emphasized it during the negotiations as well: security guarantees must work and must be clear first and foremost to the people of Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President spoke about negotiations with the U.S. delegation, which are taking place in Berlin on December 14–15. The Head of State emphasized that the Ukrainian delegation is working almost around the clock to achieve results.
“Of course, not all issues are simple; there are difficult things, particularly regarding territories. But everyone is ready to work productively to find solutions that respect Ukraine and bring the end of the war closer. Ukraine is ready to continue working with maximum quality, constructively and honestly, so that the final agreement is strong,” the President stressed.
Friedrich Merz noted that after so many years of war, a ceasefire is needed – one that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty, is backed by material and security guarantees from the United States and Europe, maintains the unity and strength of the European Union and NATO, and safeguards Ukraine’s European prospects.
“The key question remains how territorial issues can be resolved. Only the Ukrainian people and the President of Ukraine, who have been defending their land for nearly four years, can provide the answer,” the Chancellor emphasized.
Friedrich Merz also noted that pressure on Russia will continue and that work is ongoing to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine.
“The European solution that is now on the table can truly help – not only with protection here and now from Russian strikes and Russian aggression, but also in the long term. It sends the right signal to Russia that the war must be brought to an end, because the one who starts a war must bear the greatest losses,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
