epa12594571 US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (front) arrives at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US-Ukraine negotiations on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, and a broader multilateral summit with key European leaders. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

epa12594570 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) welcomes US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (2-L) and US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner (L) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US-Ukraine negotiations on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, and a broader multilateral summit with key...

epa12594569 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) welcomes US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner (R) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US-Ukraine negotiations on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, and a broader multilateral summit with key...

epa12594568 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) welcomes US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner (L) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US-Ukraine negotiations on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, and a broader multilateral summit with key...

epa12594567 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) welcomes US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (C) and US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner (L) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US-Ukraine negotiations on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, and a broader multilateral summit with key...

epa12594564 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) welcomes Finnish President Alexander Stubb (L) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US-Ukraine negotiations on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, and a broader multilateral summit with key European leaders. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

epa12594563 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) welcomes Finnish President Alexander Stubb (L) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US-Ukraine negotiations on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, and a broader multilateral summit with key European leaders. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

epa12594561 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) welcomes NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte (L) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US-Ukraine negotiations on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, and a broader multilateral summit with key European leaders. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

epa12594562 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) welcomes Finnish President Alexander Stubb (L) at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US-Ukraine negotiations on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, and a broader multilateral summit with key European leaders. EPA/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

epa12594556 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) attend a press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US and Ukrainian delegations for talks on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. EPA/CLEMENS BILAN

epa12594555 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US and Ukrainian delegations for talks on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. EPA/CLEMENS BILAN

epa12594554 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) depart after a press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US and Ukrainian delegations for talks on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. EPA/CLEMENS BILAN

epa12594553 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US and Ukrainian delegations for talks on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. EPA/CLEMENS BILAN

epa12594552 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) attend a press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 15 December 2025. Berlin hosts US and Ukrainian delegations for talks on a proposed peace plan, including a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. EPA/CLEMENS BILAN