Discussion of the ceasefire between Germany and Ukraine
The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, discussed the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine at a press conference in Berlin on December 15. This was the first instance of a ceasefire discussion since the start of the war. The press conference took place against the backdrop of intensified diplomatic efforts, as noted by Merz, emphasizing that
“over the past few days we are experiencing the greatest momentum in the diplomatic sphere since February 24, 2022”.
Negotiations between Ukraine and Germany were ongoing around the clock. During them, a proposal was made for a Christmas ceasefire on the night of December 25. Zelensky noted that
“there has been enough dialogue regarding territories”and pointed out that 'there are some things that will definitely not help us', alluding to Russia's position. He also stressed that 'we see this as the demands of the RF'.
Cooperation in the defense industry
In addition to discussing the possibility of a ceasefire, Germany and Ukraine agreed on a 10-point plan for cooperation in the defense industry. Among the goals of the negotiations were defined:
- establishment of peace,
- ensuring peace with substantial guarantees,
- joint development of peace conditions,
- preservation of NATO and EU unity,
- preservation of Ukraine's European perspective.
Merz also expressed hope that 'perhaps the Russian government has remnants of humanity and will leave people alone for a few days'. In the context of future actions, a decision regarding the use of frozen Russian assets for the armament of Ukraine is expected at the EU summit on Thursday. The USA also declared its readiness to take on legal obligations for security guarantees for Ukraine.
The discussion of the possibility of a ceasefire between Germany and Ukraine indicates a growing diplomatic interest in resolving the conflict, which has been ongoing for more than a year. The proposal for a ceasefire at Christmas may be an attempt to reduce the escalation of violence and create conditions for further peace negotiations. At the same time, Zelensky's clear position on Russia's territorial demands indicates that Ukraine remains open to dialogue but without concessions that may threaten its sovereignty.