Ukraine talks shape US Europe stance

German leaders press Trump to back Kyiv and European interests ahead of the Alaska summit

Merz says Trump largely shares European positions on Ukraine

Zelenskyy travelled to Berlin to join three rounds of talks arranged by Germany with European partners. The goal was to press the US president to defend Ukraine and European interests before his planned meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Berlin officials outlined three main principles guiding the discussions. Ukraine must be at the negotiating table. A ceasefire is needed before negotiations. Kyiv must have security guarantees before any progress. Officials noted that a peace agreement remains a long way off. Zelenskyy was set to join a broader coalition of the willing for a third round of talks later on.

Europe wants to shape any settlement and test how Washington negotiates under domestic pressure. The push shows a desire to keep Kyiv central while balancing sanctions and security guarantees with a credible path to peace. The Alaska summit will reveal whether alliance unity can survive political shifts in Washington. If the talks stall, European leaders may face pressure at home to reassess their stance toward Moscow and Kyiv.

Kyiv and its allies aim for concrete commitments rather than statements. The emphasis on security guarantees signals a long term American and European commitment, not a quick fix. The outcome will hinge on practical steps, credible timelines, and a willingness to align messaging across a broad coalition.

Highlights

The next steps will test how tightly alliance politics translate into policy.