Berlin (Germany), Dec. 15 (LaPresse) – "We are pursuing five clear objectives. First: after almost four years of war, we want a reliable ceasefire. Second: this ceasefire must be guaranteed by solid security assurances, both legal and material, from the United States and Europeans. What the United States put on the table in Berlin in terms of legal and material guarantees is truly remarkable and represents a very important step forward," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin. "Third: during the ceasefire, we will work together – free Europeans and Americans – to establish common foundations. This happened yesterday and is a shared success. Fourth: the ceasefire must not compromise the strength and unity of NATO and the European Union, but should further strengthen cohesion in Europe. Finally, fifth: the ceasefire must make possible and promote Ukraine’s European perspective and reconstruction, with contributions from both Europeans and Americans," Merz added, noting that "a key question remains: what territorial concessions might there be? The answer can only come from the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian president, who defends his territory. It is the Ukrainian people who have defended their land for four years with great sacrifices. On this we all agree: only Ukraine can decide on territorial matters."