Zelensky in Berlin as Trump heads to Russia talks

Zelensky travels to Berlin for talks with European allies while the White House describes Friday’s Alaska meeting with Putin as a listening exercise.

Zelensky meets European leaders as Trump moves toward Russia summit

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin for talks with European leaders about security guarantees and support ahead of a US-Russia summit. The visit signals continued Western coordination as Washington describes Friday’s Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin as a listening exercise rather than a negotiation. Kyiv has insisted that any settlement must preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and its control over Donbas. The conflict in the east has persisted since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists, reshaping a region once seen as European in outlook.

A ground-level view from Donetsk shows the stakes beyond headlines. A former soldier described the pressure on civilians amid talk of territorial exchanges, with the BBC report highlighting ongoing humanitarian challenges such as water shortages and unemployment. Western officials caution that any peace plan must be backed by credible enforcement and should avoid leaving residents to face renewed risk on the ground.

Berlin serves as a testing ground for Western unity and resolve. Zelensky’s diplomacy hinges on keeping Donbas on the negotiating table without surrendering sovereignty, while Trump’s Alaska posture adds ambiguity to the process. The contrasting approaches risk fraying or strengthening alliance cohesion depending on how talks are framed and what is promised to civilians and allies. The humanitarian angle remains a central test; bold political moves must translate into real relief for people living under pressure, or public support in Europe may shift. In short, diplomacy must balance credibility with compassion, and that balance is the hardest part of any settlement.

Highlights

Diplomacy will shape the next phase of the crisis and the world watches closely.