Trump, Zelenskyy, EU leaders hold online talks: all details

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a joint briefing on the outcome of the talks.

Merz: No recognition of occupied territories

Following the discussions, Merz said that legal recognition of territories occupied by Russia was not under consideration. He stressed that the meeting made clear that Ukraine must be at the negotiating table. An important element, he said, could be a framework agreement to be developed later.

Key decisions possible at Alaska summit

Merz noted that “important decisions” could be made at the summit between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

“That is why we Europeans are doing everything possible to lay the groundwork for this meeting to be conducted in the right way,” Merz said, speaking alongside Zelenskyy in Berlin. “We want President Trump to be successful on Friday in Anchorage.”

Security guarantees discussed briefly

When asked about security guarantees — what form they might take, whether Trump could provide them, and what role European partners would play — Merz said the topic had been touched on only briefly.

“We know Ukraine needs them. I said this in my statement. The Ukrainian army must be able to continue defending its country. What these guarantees will look like, and who will play what role in them, we have not discussed yet. That, so to speak, is the next step,” Merz said.

Zelenskyy: Ukraine’s principles non-negotiable

Zelenskyy responded to a question about the possible exchange of territories and shared his view on whether tomorrow’s meeting in Alaska could be a historic moment.

“All partners have shown one voice, one will, one set of principles, and one vision. That is already an important step forward,” the Ukrainian president said.

On the question of the meeting’s historic significance, Zelenskyy said it was worth waiting for the outcome first.
“Any key issues — concerning principles, territorial integrity — will be decided at the level of leaders. Without Ukraine, it is impossible to decide them. Everyone supports this,” he added.

Zelenskyy also emphasized that sanctions should be strengthened if Russia refuses to agree to a ceasefire.
“Putin is bluffing, pretending that sanctions do not matter to him and that they don’t work. In reality, sanctions help a lot and strike at Russia’s war economy,” he stressed.

Talks aimed at shaping Trump’s stance

CNN earlier reported that the talks had begun. The leaders of the European Union, Donald Trump, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an online meeting ahead of Friday’s summit between the U.S. president and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

The meeting, which began at around 4 p.m. Kyiv time, was attended by representatives of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Finland, Italy, as well as Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, Mark Rutte, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Donald Trump. 

The EU leaders aimed to shape Trump’s views ahead of Friday’s summit with Putin in Alaska.