Barricades dismantled following Zelensky's visit by authorities.
In a high-profile visit to Berlin on August 13, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived for a series of crucial meetings and video conferences with key European leaders, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, U.S. President Donald Trump, and other top officials [1][2][4].
The visit, which was not previously announced, came with stringent security measures due to the strategic and politically critical nature of the talks, particularly given the upcoming summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, 2025 [1][2]. The sensitive timing and the presence of numerous international leaders heightened the security requirements for Zelensky's visit [2].
As the diplomatic significance of the consultations became clear, the city of Berlin felt the impact. Traffic disruptions were reported around the capital airport BER, and the U-Bahn traffic was affected, specifically the U5 line passing through the U-Bahn station Bundestag [5]. The Berlin Police announced the short-term closures in the city, and the participants of a pro-Palestinian protest camp located in the government district and the immediate security area were asked to leave [6][7].
The police force mobilised over 2400 officers for the visit, according to police reports [3], and the police trade union stated that "everything that can be made available has been called in" [8]. The number of officers on duty for the current visit has not been disclosed, but it was evident that the security measures reflected the diplomatic significance of Zelensky's consultations ahead of major East-West negotiations concerning the Russia-Ukraine war [1][2][3].
Following the visit, the participants of the pro-Palestinian protest camp were allowed to return to their camp, and normal life resumed in the city [6]. The Berlin Police also announced that all related street closures and restrictions have been lifted [9].
In a significant moment during the visit, Zelensky joined Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) in a videoconference with Donald Trump [10]. The details about the participating heads of government have not been disclosed, but the visit marked a significant diplomatic event in the ongoing East-West negotiations.
Despite the short notice given to the police force, they managed to ensure a smooth visit for the Ukrainian President, demonstrating the adaptability and resilience of the German authorities in handling high-profile visits under tight security conditions.
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