Ukrainian President Zelenskyy travels to Berlin for discussions on Ukraine matters
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated Alaska Summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are gearing up for a series of preliminary discussions.
The discussions, set to take place today in Berlin, will involve the 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 Jens Stoltenberg, and Zelensky himself.
The primary objective of these talks, initiated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is to find a common line with US President Donald Trump before he meets Putin. The goal is to ensure that the interests of Ukraine and Europe are not sidelined during the summit, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The upcoming Alaska Summit, which took place on August 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, has raised concerns among European allies. The absence of Ukraine and European leaders from the summit has been seen as a marginalization from discussions about the continent's future.
The official agenda of the summit nominally included Ukraine and prospects for peace between Russia and Ukraine, as well as improving US-Russia bilateral relations. However, the meeting was also a broader exercise in defining the future US-Russia relationship and Russia’s place in the world.
Trump used the meeting to reconsider his stance on sanctions and a ceasefire regarding Ukraine, signaling a shift from previous US policies. There were concerns that the US-Russia dialogue under Trump could pressure Ukraine to cede territories to Russia in exchange for peace, reminiscent of historic land-for-peace deals among European countries.
While no sweeping deal was reached nor openly presented at the summit, the lack of Ukrainian participation raised alarm among European allies regarding America’s leverage and the potential sidelining of Ukraine's interests. Trump left open the possibility of delaying or easing sanctions on Russia, affecting European and Ukrainian security concerns.
In response to these concerns, Zelensky is expected to arrive in Berlin around midday, followed by a preliminary discussion with Merz at 2:00 PM. After the bilateral meeting, Zelensky and Merz will participate in a videoconference with European leaders, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, and US President Trump.
Following the videoconference, Merz plans to discuss the results in the coalition of the willing, led by Germany, France, and Britain. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for security guarantees for Ukraine, adding to the urgency of these discussions.
German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius stated that the talks should focus on further options for putting pressure on Moscow. The discussions are a crucial step in ensuring that the interests of Ukraine and Europe are represented in the ongoing dialogue between the US and Russia.
In a press conference, Merz plans to inform the public about the conference with Trump. Kornelius also mentioned preparations for possible peace negotiations and related questions about territorial claims and security. The preliminary discussions in Berlin today mark a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to maintain the security and sovereignty of Ukraine in the face of the Alaska Summit.
Political discussions in Berlin today, led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, will address the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, particularly in the context of the Alaska Summit. These talks, involving heads of state and government from EU member states, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President António Costa, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, aim to address policy-and-legislation regarding the ongoing conflict and ensure that the interests of Ukraine and Europe are not ignored during the Alaska Summit. General news outlets will follow these discussions closely, given their potential impact on the future of US-Russia relations and European security.
