German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin could meet within the next two weeks, according to international media.
Merz stated that U.S. President Donald Trump persuaded Putin to agree to the meeting. “During a break in a meeting, the U.S. president spoke with the Russian president by phone, and they agreed that a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents would take place within the next two weeks,” Merz told reporters.
He added that Trump also agreed to organize a subsequent trilateral meeting to ensure that negotiations would “truly begin.” However, the location of the meeting has not yet been determined.
Merz cautioned that it remains uncertain whether Putin will have the courage to attend the summit, noting that further persuasion may be necessary.
The Chancellor highlighted that Trump was impressed by Europe’s unified front, and discussions with the U.S. administration will now focus on the details of security guarantees for Ukraine.
“It is absolutely clear that all of Europe must participate,” Merz emphasized.
