European leaders to brief Trump ahead of Putin summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on Wednesday to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and take part in virtual talks with other European and U.S. leaders. The meetings come ahead of a planned summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the war in Ukraine is expected to be discussed.

Chancellor Merz organized the series of talks to ensure that European and Ukrainian perspectives are heard before the Alaska summit. Germany’s government said the goal was to make Europe’s position clear, as Ukraine and its allies feel sidelined from direct negotiations.

Zelenskyy first met European leaders in Berlin, followed by a virtual call with Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Another virtual session with countries ready to support any future peace enforcement in Ukraine is also planned.

Zelenskyy emphasized that over 30 talks with international partners have already taken place, but he doubts Russia is negotiating in good faith. On his official Telegram channel, he wrote that there are “no signs that the Russians are preparing to end the war” and urged Europe and the U.S. to coordinate efforts and “force Russia to peace.”

Trump described Friday’s summit as a “feel-out meeting” to assess Putin’s intentions, but he has raised concerns in Europe by suggesting Ukraine might have to give up some territory and that Russia could accept land swaps. European leaders argue that Ukraine must be directly involved in any peace discussions, warning that sidelining Kyiv could favor Moscow.

Zelenskyy rejected any plan that would force Ukraine to give up territory, calling it unconstitutional and a potential trigger for future Russian attacks. He also stressed that key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees and full European involvement, have not yet been addressed.

Meanwhile, fighting on the ground continues. Russian forces are advancing toward Pokrovsk in the Donbas region, a strategic area in eastern Ukraine. Analysts warn that losing Pokrovsk could give Russia an advantage ahead of the summit and complicate Ukrainian supply lines.

Ukraine also launched a drone strike on an oil pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk region overnight, damaging facilities that supply the Russian army. Ukrainian authorities said the attack targeted pipelines capable of transporting 60 million tons of oil annually.

The focus of European and Ukrainian leaders in Berlin and on virtual calls is clear: to coordinate a unified position and apply pressure before Putin meets Trump, ensuring that any discussion about Ukraine’s future considers Kyiv’s voice.