Zelenskyy Visits Berlin for Talks with European Leaders Ahead of Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on Wednesday to hold discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders ahead of the planned US-Russia summit later this week in Alaska.
According to German officials, the talks are intended to ensure that Europe’s and Ukraine’s positions are clearly communicated before the August 15 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Chancellor Merz has organised a series of virtual consultations involving leaders from Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, the European Union, and NATO. The discussions will focus on Ukraine’s concerns about being excluded from direct participation in the US-Russia talks, as well as presenting a unified European stance.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet European leaders first, followed by a virtual call with President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. The final round of discussions will include members of the “coalition of the willing”—countries ready to assist in enforcing any future peace agreement.
President Trump has stated that he wants to determine whether Putin is “serious” about ending the war, which is now in its fourth year. However, his remarks suggesting Ukraine might have to cede Russian-held territory and accept unspecified land swaps have caused unease in Kyiv and among European allies.
Both Ukraine and European leaders remain cautious, fearing that a deal reached without their involvement could grant Putin strategic advantages and potentially encourage further aggression in Europe.
