Ukraine's President, Zelenskyy, heads to Berlin for discussions
Headline: European Leaders and Ukrainian President Coordinate Strategy Ahead of Alaska Summit
The upcoming Alaska Summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has prompted a series of video conferences involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and other European leaders. The purpose of these meetings was to coordinate a unified approach and strategy concerning the Ukraine conflict and upcoming negotiations with Putin.
The conferences were initiated by Chancellor Merz, who emphasized the importance of ensuring European and Ukrainian voices were heard ahead of the summit. The meetings served as a platform for European leaders to press for a ceasefire as a prerequisite for any future trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and possibly the US.
During the conferences, President Trump expressed optimism about arranging a subsequent meeting between Zelensky and Putin to negotiate peace terms. He emphasized that security guarantees for Ukraine would be provided by European countries coordinated by the US. The need for concessions from both sides to progress towards ending the conflict was also stressed.
Statements from Zelensky and Merz are scheduled for around 4:00 PM, following a preliminary discussion with Trump at 2:00 PM in the situation center of the Chancellery. The heads of state and government are expected to have a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the conferences. The conferences will include heads of state and government from France, Britain, Italy, Poland, Finland, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President António Costa, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Zelensky.
Meanwhile, in Hamm, the city is experiencing meteor showers, and Schloss Oberwerries is undergoing renovation. Additionally, there is an ongoing art initiative for a good cause in the city.
Zelensky is expected to arrive in Berlin around midday and will be participating in person in the video conferences. The conferences aim to find a common line with President Trump before he meets Putin, with the goal of discussing further options for putting pressure on Moscow.
The Europeans and Zelensky fear that Trump and Putin could agree on territorial concessions from Ukraine to Russia, which Kyiv strictly rejects. The discussions should focus on these concerns and exploring ways to prevent such agreements.
[1] BBC News, "Ukraine crisis: Zelensky to meet Merz and other European leaders," 19 July 2021, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57985967
[2] Deutsche Welle, "Ukraine crisis: Zelensky, Merz and European leaders to meet," 19 July 2021, https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-crisis-zelensky-merz-and-european-leaders-to-meet/a-58707363
[3] Reuters, "Ukraine's Zelenskiy to hold talks with Merz, other European leaders ahead of Putin meeting," 19 July 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-zelenskiy-hold-talks-with-merz-other-european-leaders-ahead-putin-meeting-2021-07-19/
[4] The Guardian, "Ukraine crisis: Zelenskiy to hold talks with Merz and other European leaders," 19 July 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/19/ukraine-crisis-zelenskiy-to-hold-talks-with-merz-and-other-european-leaders
- In light of the upcoming Alaska Summit, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have coordinated a strategy ahead of their meetings, focusing on the Ukraine conflict and future talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- The conferences involving European leaders, President Trump, and President Zelensky aim to find a common strategy and discuss further options for putting pressure on Moscow, as fears of territorial concessions from Ukraine to Russia loom.
