Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for a series of high-level discussions focused on international security matters. He was met at the Chancellery with a warm welcome from Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), landing by helicopter in the Chancellery garden. The visit was announced only shortly before his arrival.
President Zelenskyy is scheduled to participate directly in consultations concerning a proposed summit between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. These discussions commenced at 2:00 PM local time, with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance joining virtually at 3:00 PM. A subsequent round of virtual consultations is planned for European leaders without the participation of the U.S. delegation.
The meetings will involve a variety of formats and include the participation of heads of state and government from Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Poland. Also attending are the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council and the Secretary-General of NATO.
Following the virtual component of the discussions, President Zelenskyy and Mr. Merz are expected to address the media jointly later Wednesday afternoon.