The Ukrainian head of state stated this in Berlin during a joint press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

"We discussed common positions with the US president, agreed on five principles... Everything related to Ukraine should be discussed exclusively with Ukraine, we should develop a trilateral negotiation format, there should be a ceasefire, there should be security guarantees, sanctions should be tightened if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire," said V. Zelensky.

Zelensky also said he told Trump and European leaders that"Putin is bluffing - Russia is trying to advance on all fronts."

"Putin is also bluffing, saying that he doesn't care about sanctions and that they don't work," Zelensky said.

"In fact, sanctions are very effective and are damaging Russia's military economy," he said.

Zelensky added that he also said during the meeting that Putin does not want peace."He wants to occupy our country," Zelensky said.

He called on the US and Europe to impose sanctions, arguing that they were crucial to stopping Putin's war.

Speaking about the meeting between Trump and Putin, Zelensky said he hopes the main topic will be a ceasefire."The president of the United States has said this several times," Zelensky stressed.

European allies remind Trump of five key points for peace in Ukraine

Ukraine's European allies have reiterated five key demands to the US president for a peace deal with Russia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday.

"We wish President Donald Trump success in Anchorage on Friday," Merz said after a videoconference he held ahead of Trump's planned talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

However, for the outcome of the meeting to be acceptable to all, it must be clear that there will be room for Ukraine at the table for possible further negotiations, said F. Merz, who spoke in Berlin together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"We want the negotiations to take place in the right order. There must be a ceasefire first," Merz said. This should be followed by a framework agreement that includes essential elements, he added.

Speaking about the third condition of a possible peace agreement, F. Merz said:"Ukraine is ready to negotiate on territorial issues. However, the starting point must be the so-called contact line, and there can be no question of legal recognition of the Russian occupation. The principle that borders cannot be changed by force must continue to apply."

Fourth, F. Merz called for ensuring"strong security guarantees for Kiev" and maintaining Ukraine's ability to defend itself, and finally, any future negotiations must be part of a"common transatlantic strategy."

Merz: The positions of Ukraine, Europe, and Trump overlap greatly

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the positions of Ukraine, its European allies and US President Trump are"very much in line" ahead of a planned meeting between the US and Russian leaders in Alaska later this week.

"The essential security interests of Europe and Ukraine must be protected in Alaska. That was the message that we Europeans conveyed to President [Donald] Trump today," Merz said after remote talks in Berlin.

"And I can say that our views are very much in line both with regard to the assessment of the initial position and with regard to the goal to be achieved this Friday," the German leader said, speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

F. Merz, V. Zelensky and several European leaders spoke via video link with D. Trump and his Vice President JD Vance about the US president's upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

The German Chancellor noted that Ukraine must participate in any further negotiations following the planned meeting between US President D. Trump and Russian leader V. Putin.

"Ukraine must be at the table when further meetings take place," Merz said, adding that before any peace talks,"a ceasefire must first be established."

Reactions from NATO and EU leaders

NATO chief Mark Rutte said after a "great" conversation with Trump and European leaders that Europe and the United States "are united in their desire to end this terrible war" in Ukraine.

"I appreciate Trump's leadership and close coordination with allies. Now the ball is in Putin's court," Rutte said on the "X" platform.

EU President Ursula von der Leyen praised a"very good conversation" with Trump and the leaders of Ukraine and European countries.

"Today, Europe, the United States and NATO have strengthened their common position on Ukraine. We will continue to coordinate our actions closely. No one wants peace, a just and lasting peace, more than we do," said U. von der Leyen in a post on the"X" platform.

Zelensky: Trump-Putin meeting should focus on ceasefire in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that new sanctions should be imposed on Russia if it does not agree to an "immediate ceasefire" during a summit with US President Donald Trump this week.

"We hope that the main topic of the meeting will be a ceasefire. An urgent ceasefire," Zelensky said after a teleconference with Trump and European leaders ahead of a US-Russia summit in Alaska on Friday.

"If Russia does not agree to a ceasefire, sanctions must be imposed and tightened," he added, speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.

Macron: Only Zelensky can negotiate an agreement on Ukrainian territories

Only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can negotiate a land deal with Russia to end Moscow's war against his country, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday.

"Only the president of Ukraine can and will negotiate on territorial issues related to Ukraine," Macron told reporters after a teleconference with US President Donald Trump.

Trump will push for a ceasefire in Ukraine during his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Friday, Macron said, adding that the goal was"very important" and had "our support."

Trump will also seek a future trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelensky, Macron said, adding that he hoped such a meeting could be held in Europe,"in a neutral country that would be acceptable to all parties."

The French president said that there are currently "no serious proposals for a land swap."

UK PM: Trump creates 'real' chance for ceasefire in Ukraine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that there was now a "real" chance of a ceasefire in Ukraine, ahead of talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"This conflict has been going on for over three years and we are nowhere near a... realistic way to end it," Starmer told a meeting of European leaders.

"We now have that opportunity because of the efforts that the (US) president has made," he told reporters during a video conference to prepare for a summit in Alaska on Friday.