Zelensky meets with Merz at the Chancellery
On August 15, 2025, Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj for a significant video conference in Berlin. The meeting, scheduled for 2 pm, was the first step in a series of consultations ahead of a highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska.
The primary objective of these meetings was to find a common line before Trump's encounter with Putin, scheduled for later in the day. This preparatory meeting was crucial in aligning strategies among Western and Ukrainian leaders, aiming to present a unified stance given the critical nature of the talks and the complex geopolitical implications.
The summit in Alaska was primarily focused on the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, with the hope of reaching a ceasefire or agreement. However, the talks concluded without any tangible progress. The meeting between Putin and Trump was significant as it marked Putin's first visit to a Western country since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the first US-Russia presidential meeting hosted on US soil since 2007.
The video conferences with European heads of state and government were initiated by Chancellor Merz. In addition to Merz and Selenskyj, the heads of state and government of France, Britain, Italy, Poland, Finland, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Selenskyj were expected to participate in the preparatory meeting.
A joint lunch between Merz and Selenskyj was also planned, following the video conference. Prior to the meeting with Trump, a preparatory meeting with close European allies of Ukraine was scheduled. The planned meeting between US President Trump and Kremlin leader Putin has caused unrest, with Kyiv and its allies eager to coordinate with Washington before the negotiating round on Friday.
Upon Selenskyj's arrival at the Chancellery, he was warmly welcomed by Merz. The meeting marked a significant step in the ongoing efforts to find a resolution to the Russo-Ukrainian War and maintain peace in the region. The coordinated efforts of European and Ukrainian leaders will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the course of the negotiations and the future of Ukraine.
- The video conferences with European heads of state and government, including Chancellor Merz, were initiated to align employment policies and present a unified stance on the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, as the complex geopolitical implications of the talks require a coordinated response.
- The critical nature of the talks between US President Trump and Russian President Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, has prompted a series of consultations among European and Ukrainian leaders, including discussions on general-news topics such as employment policy.
