Unannounced Trip of Zelenskyy in Berlin Preceding Trump-Putin Discussions
Zelenskyy Visits Berlin for High-Level Meetings on Ukraine's Future
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Berlin today, attending a series of important video conferences aimed at strengthening international support for Ukraine amidst Russia's invasion.
The meetings, convened by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, involve leaders from France, Britain, Italy, Poland, Finland, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President António Costa, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The discussions will cover new ways to pressure Moscow, prepare for possible peace negotiations, and discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. Merz has also stated that the talks will focus on securing binding protections for Ukraine during the meetings.
Berlin police have warned of short-notice road closures, pedestrian restrictions, S-Bahn, and U-Bahn delays around the Reichstag and Chancellery due to the high-level meetings.
Regarding the upcoming talks between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, there has been apprehension that these discussions might undermine Ukraine's position or the collective Western support. Trump has suggested Ukraine should "play offensive," but Russia downplays the likelihood of a Putin-Zelenskyy summit, indicating tensions remain high and the diplomatic landscape sensitive.
The meetings in Berlin will take place at the Chancellery and will be held via video link. The first session, a closed-door meeting linking Merz, Zelenskyy, and the aforementioned leaders, is scheduled for 11:00. The agenda of this session is to agree on a united stance before Trump and his vice-president J.D. Vance join the second call at 15:00.
Following the call with Trump, Merz plans to address the press. The meetings are taking place ahead of Trump's scheduled meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday. There are concerns that Trump could potentially strike a deal with Putin involving Ukrainian territorial concessions, which Kyiv has rejected.
Britain is advocating for binding protections for Ukraine during the meetings, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterating his call for such protections. The meetings in Berlin are aimed at discussing Ukraine's future and coordinating positions ahead of Trump's meeting with Putin.
Politics and war-and-conflicts intertwine as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Berlin for high-level meetings, collaborates with international leaders to secure binding protections for Ukraine amidst ongoing struggles with Russia. General news regarding the upcoming talks between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin adds another layer of complexity to the discussions, potentially impacting Ukraine's position and collective Western support.
