Zelenskyy supports Merz proposal for holiday ceasefire
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: facebook.com zelenskyy.official )
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supported the idea proposed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for a Christmas truce between Ukraine and Russia. However, he noted that much depends on the political will of the aggressor and the documents prepared by Kyiv, states Zelenskyy in response to media questions.
He emphasized that he cannot speak for Russia’s position on a Christmas truce, but he personally supports Merz’s idea.
“I will not answer for Russia; I will answer as the President of Ukraine. Friedrich indeed proposed this idea. Today (December 15 — ed.), he announced it both officially and during our discussions. The US also supports this idea. As president, I absolutely support it. I believe an energy truce is fine, any truce. We will support any ceasefire,” the president said.
Zelenskyy also added that Kyiv supports Europe and the United States in their efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
“Many things probably depend on Russia’s political will. But I want to emphasize separately that many things also depend on the work we have done on the documents,” the head of state concluded.
Negotiations in Berlin
On December 14 and 15, European leaders met in Berlin with Ukrainian and American delegations to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine.
From Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally took part in the negotiations, although he stepped away on December 15. From the US, attendees included the White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Among the European leaders present were: French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Council President António Costa, European Parliament President Ursula von der Leyen, and many other prominent figures in European politics.
Recent updates regarding the peace plan indicate that it has been divided into three parts: security guarantees, which reportedly have seen significant progress; a framework agreement consisting of 20 points; and a document on postwar reconstruction of Ukraine.
The issue of the Donbas territories remains problematic. However, according to an unnamed US official, consensus on the peace plan has been reached on 90% of the issues.
