L to R: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Berlin, December 15, 2025

EA on International Outlets: Zelensky-Europe Face Trump’s Envoys in Berlin

Tuesday’s Coverage: Zelensky and Europe Regain Political Initiative In Talks With Trump’s Envoys

UPDATE 2033 GMT:

The Trump Administration is warning that it will demand “the money back” if the European Union and the UK use frozen Russian assets for financial support of Ukraine, say US, Ukrainian, and European officials.

“A source close to internal US discussions” said, “The Europeans are going to have to give it back.”

EU leaders meet on Thursday and Friday to consider a “reparations loan”, drawn from the €210 million of frozen assets in Europe, to fund Ukraine through 2027. Belgium, which holds 2/3rd of the assets, has objected because of concerns over legal liability and Russian retaliation against Belgian companies.

The US officials said the Administration has limited support from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She has emphasized the need for a rigorous legal framework for the use of the assets.

A “senior Ukrainian official” confirmed, “The US administration is pressuring European countries to abandon the idea of using Russian assets to support Ukraine.”

A second US official maintained that some Europeans countries were “quietly asking us to intervene on this matter as they do not want to be publicly against it. They are afraid of the long-term damage it will do to long-term investments in their system and the credibility of their institutions.”

“The US is playing divide and rule,” said an European official.

UPDATE 1752 GMT:

Belgium’s politicians and senior finance executives have targeted in a campaign of intimidation orchestrated by Russian intelligence, say European intelligence agencies.

Brussels has held up European Union approval of a “reparations loan” of €135 billion, drawn from €210 billion of frozen Russian assets in Europe, to cover Ukraine’s financial needs through 2027.

The Belgians have expressed concern about legal liabilities and Moscow’s retaliation against Euroclear, which holds 2/3rd of the frozen assets in Europe, and other Belgian firms.

A EU summit on Thursday-Friday is trying to overcome the objections.

Security officials told the Guardian that executives at Euroclear, including chief executive Valérie Urbain, and Belgian leaders have been targeted. They believe the campaign is overseen by Russia’s GRU military intelligence service.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever said earlier this month, “Who believes that Putin will calmly accept the confiscation of Russian assets? Moscow has let us know that in the event of a seizure, Belgium and I personally will feel the effects for eternity.”

UPDATE 1743 GMT:

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has said of the Kremlin’s signals that it is preparing for further confrontation:

It is important that partners see this…in particular partners in the US, who often say that Russia supposedly wants to end the war.

We need real protection from this Russian history of madness, and now we will continue to work with all partners to ensure that such protection is truly there.

The outcome of these meetings – the outcome for Europe – must be such that Russia feels that its desire to continue fighting next year will be pointless, because Ukraine will have support.

This outcome depends “100%” on Europe’s decision and “it is for Europe to make this choice”, he stressed.

“We also expect that our representatives this week will continue the conversation and meetings with the American team about steps that can work for peace and guaranteed security,” the President added.

UPDATE 1343 GMT:

Vladimir Putin has signed legislation allowing Russian occupation administrations in eastern and southern Ukraine to confiscate residential property designated as “ownerless”.

Confiscated property will be transferred to occupation administrations. The housing can be allocated to local residents who lost homes during combat operations, or used as official accommodation for civil servants, military personnel, law enforcement officers, teachers, and medical workers.

The law also permits rentals or placement of individuals officially registered as needing housing through social rental agreements.

If owners appear after confiscation, they will receive monetary compensation, but only if they hold Russian citizenship.

Russian forces have declared at least 25,000 properties in occupied territories as “ownerless”.

UPDATE 1337 GMT:

At least 26 civilians have been injured by Russian guided aerial bombs on Zaporizhzhia city in southern Ukraine.

The attack around noon hit two multi-story residential buildings, infrastructure, and educational facilities.

More victims may be under the rubble.

UPDATE 1331 GMT:

Rejecting the proposal to end his invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has called European leaders “little pigs”, and insisted that Russia will seize more Ukrainian territory, be it through coercive negotiations or military attacks.

Speaking at an annual meeting with the Defense Ministry, Putin said the aims of the invasion would be achieved “unconditionally”: “If they do not want a substantive discussion, then Russia will liberate its historical lands on the battlefield.”

He snapped, “Europe’s little pigs immediately joined in the work of the previous American administration, hoping to profit from the collapse of our country.”

UPDATE 0944 GMT:

The Trump Administration is preparing new sanctions on Russia’s energy sector if Vladimir Putin rejects the proposal to end Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

“People familiar with the matter” said the US is considering further measures against tankers in Russia’s “shadow fleet” circumventing sanctions on oil exports, and against traders who arrange the transactions.

The additional sanctions could be unveiled as early as this week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed them with European ambassadors in recent days.

The sources said the final decision rests with Donald Trump.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to the report, “Any sanctions harm the fostering of relations, that is obvious.”

He said Russia will not accept any European troops in Ukraine to monitor a ceasefire and provide security guarantees.

Peskov said, “Our position on foreign military contingents on the territory of Ukraine is well known. It is well-known, it is absolutely consistent and understandable. But again, this is a subject for discussion.”

UPDATE 0728 GMT:

Donald Trump acknowledged on Tuesday night that his envoy to Russia, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, “knew nothing” about the country.

Trump said Witkoff’s qualifications is that he is the “great dealmaker” with the “greatest personality”: “Everybody loves Steve.”

UPDATE 0706 GMT:

Ukraine’s drones struck an oil refinery in southwest Russia overnight.

Local media posted video from residents showing the refinery on fire in Slavyansk-on-Kuban in the Krasnodar region.

Krasnodar officials said the strike damaged two high-voltage power lines, cutting power to more than 38,000 people. They did not mention the refinery.

Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed, “Defense Force units used Deep Strike weapons to strike infrastructure at the Slavyansk oil refinery. Explosions and a fire have been reported in the area of the target. The extent of damage to the facility is being assessed.”

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky says proposals to end Russia’s invasion will be presented within days to the Kremlin.

Zelensky told journalists on Tuesday that US envoys will visit Moscow, following last weekend’s discussions in Berlin including European leaders and Donald Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Further consultations and the trip to Russia could take place as soon as this weekend, he said.

US officials and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that “90%” of issues had been resolved, with remaining points on territory to be agreed.

Security guarantees include “sustained and significant support…for Ukraine to build its armed forces” at a peacetime level of 800,000 soldiers; a European-led Multinational Force Ukraine; and a US-led “ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism with international participation”.

“A legally binding commitment” would “take measures to restore peace and security in the case of a future armed attack”, through the use of armed forces, intelligence, and logistical, economic, and diplomatic actions.

Zelensky made clear on Tuesday that the Kremlin’s demand for all of the strategic Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine would not be accepted.

They want our Donbas [the Donetsk and Luhansk regions]. And we do not want to give away our Donbas.

The Americans want to find a compromise. They offer a “free economic zone”/ And I will emphasise once again: “Free economic zone” does not mean under the leadership of the Russian Federation.

The President said five documents are being completed. They included NATO Article 5-like “security guarantees: legally binding, that is, voted on and approved by the US Congress.”

“I believe the United States will apply sanctions pressure and provide us with more weapons if [Vladimir Putin] rejects everything. I think that would be a fair request from us to the Americans,” Zelensky explained.

Russia Rejects Proposals In Advance

The Kremlin has already rejected the proposals to end its 47-month full-scale invasion.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says Moscow will not negotiate over occupied Ukrainian territory. He also implied that the Kremlin will not compromise on its demand for the 22% of the Donetsk region held by Ukraine.

Since 2022, the Donbass region [the Donetsk and Luhansk region] — the two republics located there — have become integral parts of the Russian Federation as a result of the referendums that were held there….

Similar things happened in Zaporizhia and Kherson. Thus, at present, we have four subjects that are integral parts of the Russian Federation.

I’m not talking about Crimea. This is a story that dates back to 2014….

We cannot compromise on this issue in any form, because this would, in our opinion, be a revision of one of the fundamental elements of our statehood, enshrined in our Constitution.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected Zelensky’s proposal of a Christmas ceasefire.

Peskov said the truce would give Ukraine time to recover from heavy fighting and — in a perversion of reality — blamed Kyiv for continuing a war against another sovereign country.

He added the Russia is still dedicated to achieving all of its military objectives: “Our position is well known. It is consistent, it is transparent and it is clear to the Americans. And, in general, it is clear to the Ukrainians as well.”