Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for a German-hosted virtual meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and key European leaders, aimed at ensuring Kyiv’s voice is not sidelined ahead of Trump’s upcoming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The meeting, scheduled for 2 p.m. (1200 GMT), will bring together the leaders of Germany, Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, and the European Union, along with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance are set to join an hour later.
The talks come two days before Trump meets Putin in Alaska, the first U.S.-Russia summit since 2021, to explore a possible ceasefire in the war on Ukraine.
Trump has described the encounter as a “feel-out” session but sparked alarm in Kyiv and across Europe last week by suggesting any agreement could involve “some swapping of territories.”
European capitals fear the unpredictable Alaska meeting could produce a deal over their heads, potentially pressuring Ukraine into accepting unfavorable terms.
“We are focusing now to ensure that it does not happen… Still a lot of time until Friday,” a senior Eastern European official said. Leaders have reiterated that no agreement should be made about Ukraine, nearly a fifth of which remains under Russian occupation, without Ukraine’s direct participation.
Trump’s administration has downplayed expectations for a breakthrough, calling the Alaska talks a “listening exercise” to gauge what Moscow might accept. Still, European officials worry that even preliminary concessions could weaken Ukraine’s security, stressing the need for united resistance to any adverse proposal.
On the battlefield, Russian forces have intensified their offensive in eastern Ukraine, tightening control around the cities of Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka.
Zelenskyy has vowed not to accept any deal requiring Ukrainian troop withdrawals from the Donbas region, warning it would dismantle key defensive lines and open the door to deeper Russian advances.
“Territorial issues can only be discussed after a ceasefire and security guarantees,” Zelenskyy said Tuesday. A Gallup poll last week showed 69% of Ukrainians support a negotiated end to the war, but most reject a peace settlement that comes with major territorial concessions.
Following Wednesday’s call, the “coalition of the willing”, nations preparing long-term support for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, will also meet online.
Written By Rodney Mbua
