Ukraine has sent peace proposal to the US, Merz says

Ukraine has sent a peace proposal to the United States, as stated by Friedrich Merz. He has also offered to host peace talks in Berlin to ensure that any agreement is not made "above Europe’s head" (Financial Times). This comes amid ongoing tensions regarding territorial disputes, particularly concerning the Donbas region, as highlighted by President Zelensky, who noted that a revised U.S. plan still requires Ukraine to relinquish control of this area (The New York Times). The urgency of the situation is underscored by Ukraine's financial struggles, as its cash reserves are running low. The European Union is exploring options to finance Ukraine's war efforts through a loan based on Russia's frozen assets in Belgium, but there is no clear alternative if this plan fails (The New York Times). Meanwhile, negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine appear to be stalled, with President Trump having initially aimed for a peace deal by Thanksgiving, but that deadline has now passed without progress (The New York Times). In the context of these developments, Germany has requested that the U.S. participate in the peace talks, indicating a desire for a collaborative approach to resolving the conflict (politico.eu). The ongoing discussions reflect the complexities of the geopolitical landscape, with various stakeholders involved in seeking a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine.