Press conference by Federal Chancellor Merz and President Zelenskyy
Delegations from Ukraine and the USA have met in Berlin to discuss paths to a ceasefire. In a press conference, Federal Chancellor Merz spoke of the greatest diplomatic dynamics since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression.
- Transcript of press conference
- Monday, 15 December 2025
At the press conference with President Zelenskyy, Federal Chancellor Merz emphasised: “Germany will continue to help Ukraine as its closest partner.”
Photo: Federal Government / Jesco Denzel
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has received negotiators from the USA and Ukraine for confidential talks at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. “We now have the chance to achieve a genuine peace process for Ukraine,” said the Federal Chancellor at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Questions of security guarantees, territory and effective mechanisms for monitoring a ceasefire were also on the agenda of a meeting scheduled for the evening among European heads of state and government, representatives from the EU and NATO as well as US negotiators in Berlin. “I hope that we will make further progress this evening and close the ranks between Ukraine, the United States of America and Europe,” emphasised Merz.
The most important points in brief:
- Safety guarantees: A ceasefire is needed that preserves the sovereignty of the Ukrainian state, maintains Ukraine’s European perspective and promotes its reconstruction. This ceasefire must be secured by “substantial legal and material security guarantees from the USA and the Europeans”, said the Federal Chancellor, a matter on which Ukrainians, Europeans and the USA are united.
- Territorial issues: A key question remains as to what territorial arrangements can be made, said Merz. “The answer to this can only be given by the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian president, who is defending his territory here.” It was clear that Germany would continue to help Ukraine as its closest partner. The Federal budget for 2026 provides major support for the Ukrainian armed forces, emphasised the Federal Chancellor.
- Pressure on Russia: Moscow must be persuaded to “stop playing for time” and become open to a ceasefire. The Federal Chancellor underlined that, in order to further increase the pressure on Russia, the European Union is working on a 20th sanctions package and on new measures against the Russian shadow fleet, as well as on the utilisation of the Russian assets that have been seized in Europe.
Read the transcript of the press conference here (in German only):