"We hope and assume that the Ukrainian government, that President Zelensky, will be involved in this meeting," Merz said in an interview with broadcaster ARD.

The Chancellor said that Berlin is working closely with Washington to try to ensure Zelensky's participation in the talks, as Ukraine's territorial issues cannot be decided without its participation.

"We must under no circumstances allow territorial issues to be discussed or even decided between Russia and America over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians," he stressed.

"I assume the American government views it the same way," the German Chancellor said.

Merz expressed hope that significant progress could be made in the talks towards achieving peace.

"We hope to make a breakthrough on Friday," he said.

"Above all (we hope) that there will finally be a ceasefire and that there will finally be peace talks," the German Chancellor emphasized.