Diplomats Merz and Selenskyy propose peace conditions prior to Trump-Putin meeting
In a significant precursor to the highly anticipated Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, international leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gathered in Berlin for consultations, focusing on security guarantees for Ukraine.
The discussions revolved around establishing a credible, binding security framework for Ukraine, backed by Western military support and cooperation, to underpin any ceasefire or peace agreement. This framework would involve long-term weapons deliveries, intelligence sharing, and joint defense planning.
European leaders, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, advocated for security guarantees resembling an "Article 5-like" framework—similar to NATO’s mutual defense pact—to ensure that any ceasefire would be tangible and not just a pause before more hostilities.
Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s readiness for a trilateral meeting between himself, Trump, and Putin to advance peace talks and final security arrangements. The US special envoy Steve Witkoff described the security guarantees agreed upon at the summit as “game-changing,” reflecting some moderation in Russia’s stance and progress toward a peace deal.
However, Russia continued offensive operations, which Zelensky cited as evidence that Moscow was not genuinely interested in ending the war. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that territorial issues are regulated by the Russian constitution, and Russia threatens to take more territory if Ukraine does not accept a Moscow-dictated peace.
Despite these challenges, Merz reaffirmed five fundamental prerequisites for a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict: a ceasefire, a framework agreement, territorial negotiations with Ukraine as a party, robust security guarantees for Kyiv, and the defense capability of the Ukrainian armed forces.
The meeting in Berlin was seen as a special sign of solidarity, with the heads of state and government of France, Britain, Italy, Poland, Finland, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President António Costa, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and Zelensky participating.
Trump, who has significant leverage over Ukraine, including the ability to halt the provision of satellite data or intelligence, assured, "I will not make a deal" in the meeting with Putin. Trump's one-on-one meeting with Putin is scheduled to take place at the military base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
In a warm welcome, Merz welcomed Zelensky at the Chancellery in Berlin. Both leaders had a constructive and good conversation, with Merz reiterating his insistence on security guarantees for Ukraine before the summit.
Zelensky, hopeful for an immediate ceasefire and robust security guarantees for Ukraine, expressed his gratitude for the solidarity shown by the international community. As the world awaits the outcome of the Trump-Putin meeting, the future of Ukraine remains uncertain, yet hopeful.
- The international leaders, during their consultation in Berlin, discussed policy-and-legislation related to establishing security guarantees for Ukraine, which might involve provisions akin to Article 5 of NATO and include war-and-conflicts-related aspects such as long-term weapons deliveries, intelligence sharing, and joint defense planning.
- As the world focuses on the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting, which is anticipated to address war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizes the importance of general-news items, particularly politics-related matters, such as robust security guarantees and a ceasefire, for a lasting peace.
