Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Berlin on Wednesday. He will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for talks with European and U.S. leaders before the Trump-Putin summit later this week, the German government announced.
Merz has arranged several virtual meetings to ensure Europe and Ukraine’s voices are heard. Both have been left out of the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Talks with Europe and the U.S.
Zelenskyy will first meet European leaders. An hour later, he will join a virtual call with Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The final discussion will involve leaders of the “coalition of the willing” — countries ready to enforce any future peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv.
During Wednesday’s events, Merz promised to help Ukraine build its own long-range missiles without Western restrictions on targets or use. Kyiv sees this as vital in its fight to repel Russia’s invasion. Zelenskyy last visited Berlin in late May.
Europe’s Concerns Over the Summit
Trump has called the upcoming meeting with Putin “a feel-out meeting” to judge whether Russia is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year. But his comments have alarmed allies.
He suggested Ukraine may need to give up some Russian-held land and spoke about possible land swaps. However, it is unclear what territory Putin might agree to give up.
European leaders want Ukraine involved in any talks, fearing that excluding Kyiv would benefit Moscow. Trump avoided saying if he would push for Zelenskyy’s participation and was dismissive of his role. He added that after Friday’s summit, a meeting could happen between “Putin and Zelenskyy and me.”
Fears of Russian Expansion
Both Europe and Ukraine fear Putin might use the summit to secure concessions and dictate the terms of peace. They worry that if he wins in Ukraine, he could target another European country next.
Putin has already waged the largest land war in Europe since 1945 and used energy as leverage to pressure the EU.
Kyiv Rejects Land Concessions
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy said Putin demanded Ukraine withdraw from the 30% of Donetsk region it still controls as part of a ceasefire. He rejected the idea outright.
Zelenskyy stressed Ukraine would not give up any territory, saying it would be unconstitutional and would only encourage a future Russian attack.
He also said U.S.-led talks have not addressed Ukraine’s main demands — security guarantees and European participation in negotiations.
U.S. Policy Shifts Under Trump
Three weeks after returning to office, Trump removed Ukraine’s NATO membership prospects — a key demand from Putin. His administration signaled that the EU and Ukraine should handle European security while the U.S. focuses elsewhere.
Trump has also pressured NATO allies over defense spending and raised tariffs on most EU imports to 15%, citing national security reasons.
EU Suspicions Over Trump’s Goals
Senior EU officials believe Trump may settle for a ceasefire in Ukraine rather than a full peace deal. They suspect his main aim is to serve broader U.S. strategic goals — improving business ties with Russia and restoring Putin’s international image.