Zelensky travels to Berlin to speak with Trump and Merz ahead of Alaska summit

BarcelonaEuropean leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speak with Donald Trump via video conference on Wednesday. Ahead of the US president's meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on FridayThe meeting began at 2:00 a.m. and is attended by the heads of government of Germany, Finland, France, the United Kingdom, and Poland, as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte; European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; and European Council President António Costa. Zelensky traveled to Berlin to participate.

Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, will then participate in a video conference with Merz, who will inform them of what was discussed with the European leaders. This will then be followed by the final meeting, this time with the member states of the European Union. Coalition of the Voluntary promoted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which includes Spain. This group brings together the states most willing to provide security guarantees in Ukraine should a ceasefire be reached.

European demands

The meeting was proposed on Monday by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss "the preparation of possible peace negotiations and issues related to territorial claims and security." Fearing that the Alaska summit could lead to decisions unfavorable to Ukraine, such as the transfer of occupied Ukrainian territory to Russia, which Kiev completely rejects, Wednesday's meetings are also intended to serve to put pressure on Moscow and Washington and to find the right solution. Trump's commitment to not reach any agreement with Putin without taking into account Ukraine and Europe.

The meeting aims to find a common ground among European countries ahead of the meeting between Trump and Putin. Key issues in the negotiations will be discussed, such as the possibility of Putin taking advantage of the ceasefire to gather forces and attack again. It is also expected to address European demands for Friday's summit, such as tougher sanctions on Russia if Putin does not accept the ceasefire, and not closing the door to Ukraine's possible NATO membership. Despite the high expectations surrounding the summit, the United States has sought to moderate it, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has described it as a "listening exercise."