Zelenskyy to meet US, European officials in Berlin for Ukraine peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that a series of high-level diplomatic meetings aimed at ending the war with Russia will take place in Berlin in the coming days. In a video address on Saturday, Zelenskyy stated that the German capital will host negotiations involving envoys from US President Donald Trump and numerous European partners, with the goal of forging a political agreement to conclude the conflict.

Focus on Security Guarantees and Post-War Planning

Zelenskyy outlined a broad agenda for the diplomatic push, which includes working sessions on critical details. He noted that Ukraine's Chief of the General Staff, Andrii Hnatov, along with defense and security representatives, will focus on developing concrete security guarantees for Kyiv. Simultaneously, other government officials will continue discussions with American and European counterparts regarding Ukraine's post-war recovery and long-term development plans.

Coordinated Meetings Following Chancellor's Invitation

The president's announcement aligns with a prior statement from the office of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, confirming that he will host Zelenskyy for bilateral talks in Berlin on Monday. These discussions will center on German-Ukrainian economic cooperation and the status of peace negotiations. Subsequently, the meeting will expand to include "numerous European heads of state and government, as well as top EU and NATO representatives," according to German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius.

Parallel Diplomatic Channels Active

The Berlin meetings follow a videoconference involving Ukraine's lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, and national security advisors from the US and Europe, held to align positions on security and peace plan advancement. Reports also indicate that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Berlin for the talks. Zelenskyy emphasized that his government is working to ensure a "dignified peace" with guarantees to prevent future conflict, stating they would work "as actively and constructively as possible" with all credible partners.