Berlin’s Merkel Announces Major Virtual Talks on Ukraine War with Global Leaders

On Wednesday, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz will organize a series of high-level virtual meetings involving key international partners to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
These discussions will bring together not only European leaders but also U.S.
President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and representatives of NATO and the European Union.
The main agenda items include the current situation in Ukraine, pathways toward diplomatic resolution, security guarantees, and preparations for upcoming talks between Russia and the U.S.
presidents.
Merz, in his social media announcements, mentioned having invited Vice President James David Vence, as well as leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Finland, Poland, and representatives of the European Commission and the European Council.
The discussions are expected to focus heavily on sanctions pressure on the Kremlin, issues related to Ukrainian occupied territories, security assurances for Kyiv, and potential diplomatic solutions.
Participants agree that any territorial agreements can only be considered after a ceasefire is declared and firm security guarantees are provided to Ukraine.
In recent days, diplomatic teams have been actively consulting with various nations to prepare for this virtual summit.
The German Chancellor personally contacted Trump ahead of the meeting, urging stronger sanctions against Russia, particularly targeting the banking sector and considering secondary sanctions against Moscow’s partners.
The virtual negotiations are scheduled to start at 13:00 Kyiv time, with the first segment involving German, Finnish, French, British, Italian, Polish leaders, as well as EU representatives, President Zelensky, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
At 14:00, additional discussions will include European and American leaders, and at 15:30, a conference call among the ‘coalition of willing’ countries providing military support to Ukraine will be conducted, organized jointly by France, the UK, and Germany.
Notably, the Trump-Putin summit is planned for August 15 in Alaska.
Trump has already shared his expectations and strategies for this meeting in a recent briefing.