German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host a series of high-stakes virtual meetings on Wednesday, August 13th, with European leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and U.S. President Donald Trump to coordinate positions ahead of Trump’s planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. The talks are aimed at exploring ways to end the war in Ukraine, which has dragged on for more than three and a half years.
According to the German government, the day will begin at 2 p.m. CET with a videoconference involving the leaders of Germany, Finland, France, the UK, Italy, and Poland, alongside Zelensky, the presidents of the European Commission and European Council, and NATO chief Mark Rutte. The agenda includes “options to exert pressure on Russia,” the sequencing of a potential peace process, security guarantees for Ukraine, and the fate of territories occupied by Russia. At 3 p.m. CET, discussions will expand to include Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Trump has claimed the warring parties are close to a deal that could end the conflict, suggesting it might involve “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.” Such a proposal, which would require Ukraine to cede significant land, has been firmly rejected by Zelensky and European allies, who argue it would only embolden further Russian aggression. European leaders, along with Merz, have insisted that Putin must agree to a ceasefire before any negotiations over territorial arrangements can begin.
German government spokesman Steffen Meyer stressed that Ukraine’s involvement is essential: “If the goal is to truly achieve a sustainable and just peace, then that is only conceivable with Ukraine. It is completely impossible to achieve this goal over the heads of the Ukrainian people.” Poland has likewise called for Kyiv’s direct participation in any settlement.
The EU allies’ response appears reactive rather than strategic, reflecting a familiar pattern of lagging behind events. As President Trump and his team take the lead in negotiations, European leaders are making efforts to assert their relevance—issuing statements and demands—but the impact of these efforts remains uncertain.”
The U.S. again taking a more active role reflects President Trump’s increasing frustration with both Zelensky and Putin for their unwillingness to reach a compromise. The EU, meanwhile, serves as a constant voice in Zelensky’s ear, urging him to continue seeking full support and hinting at the possibility of achieving a peace agreement without ceding territory. They also tantalize him with the prospects of EU and NATO membership. However, the actual situation on the ground often falls short of these assurances.
