Overview Logo
Article Main Image

Merz plans Ukraine talks Wednesday with Trump, Zelenskyy, European leaders

Al Arabiya English

United Arab Emirates

Monday, August 11


Alternative Takes

The World's Current Take

Trump-Putin Summit Perspectives

Zelensky's Stance on Russia


German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to hold talks with the US and Ukrainian presidents and European leaders on Wednesday, two days ahead of a US-Russia summit in Alaska, his office said.

Merz’s office said Monday he would discuss the Ukraine war with leaders from “Finland, France, the UK, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, the heads of the European Commission and Council, the secretary general of NATO, as well as the US president and his deputy.”

They would discuss “further options to exert pressure on Russia” and the “preparation of possible peace negotiations and related issues of territorial claims and security,” the statement said.

Merz’s spokesman Stefan Kornelius said the talks, at Merz’s invitation, would be “variously composed roundtable discussions” without giving further details.

According to Germany’s Bild daily, a first conference call will include the European leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

This would be followed by a joint call with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, the newspaper said.

The summit between Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has raised concerns among European leaders that an eventual agreement might require Kyiv to cede swathes of territory.

Earlier on Monday German government spokesman Steffen Meyer repeated Berlin’s longstanding position that “borders must not be changed by force,” in reference to Ukrainian territory seized by Russia.

Get the full experience in the app

Scroll the Globe, Pick a Country, See their News

International stories that aren't found anywhere else.

Global News, Local Perspective

50 countries, 150 news sites, 500 articles a day.

Don’t Miss what Gets Missed

Explore international stories overlooked by American media.

Unfiltered, Uncensored, Unbiased

Articles are translated to English so you get a unique view into their world.

Apple App Store Badge