(13 Aug 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
POOL
Berlin, Germany – 13 August 2025
++MUTE++
1. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy entering room
2. Merz and Zelenskyy sitting down
3. Various of Merz and Zelenskyy seated
4. Pan from Ukrainian delegation to Merz and Zelenskyy
5. Close of Zelenskyy speaking to official
6. Close of Zelenskyy
7. Close of Merz
8. Mid of Merz and Zelenskyy
9. Pan from photographers to Merz and Zelenskyy sitting
10. Wide of Merz and Zelenskyy seen from German delegation side
STORYLINE:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday arrived in Berlin for talks with the German chancellor and virtual meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and other European leaders ahead of Friday’s planned summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened the virtual meetings in an attempt to make sure European and Ukraine’s leaders are heard ahead of the summit in Alaska, where Trump and Putin are expected to discuss a path toward ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy and the Europeans have been sidelined from that summit. German government spokesperson Steffen Meyer said the intention of Wednesday’s meetings was to “make clear the position of the Europeans.”
Zelenskyy met with European leaders first, in preparation for the virtual call with Trump and Vice President JD Vance about an hour later. A call among leaders of countries involved in the “coalition of the willing” — those who are prepared to help police any future peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv — will take place last.
The Ukrainian leader on Wednesday said his government has had over 30 conversations with partners ahead of the summit in Alaska, but reiterated his doubt that Putin would negotiate in good faith.
Trump has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the conflict, now in its fourth year, describing Friday’s summit as "a feel-out meeting” where he can assess the Russian leader’s intentions.
Yet Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He has also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender.
European allies have pushed for Ukraine’s involvement in any peace talks, fearful that discussions that exclude Kyiv could otherwise favor Moscow.
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