Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London, December 8, 2025. HANNAH MCKAY / REUTERS
With downcast eyes and a subdued voice, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted on Thursday, December 11, that Ukraine was now "ready" to accept territorial concessions. Kyiv has agreed to one of the major points in negotiations with the United States and Russia by accepting the establishment of a demilitarized zone in the Donbas, Le Monde can reveal. The concession has the backing of European leaders looking to end nearly four years of war.
The concession was included in the revised US peace plan prepared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and transmitted to US President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Merz were involved in drafting the proposal, the German chancellor confirmed.
In Kyiv's view, the demilitarized zone would require both Ukrainian and Russian forces to withdraw from either side of the current front line in the Donbas. The strategically important region, an industrial basin coveted by Russia since 2014, could then be placed under the supervision of an international force, including the US, to prevent further Russian aggression.
