In a coordinated diplomatic effort ahead of the talks, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has organized an online meeting between Zelensky and key European leaders. The meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Kyiv time on Aug. 13, The Kyiv Independent reports.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will take part in the calls with “other EU leaders, President Zelensky and President Trump,” Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier confirmed to the Kyiv Independent.
Leaders from Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland are also expected to join, along with a representative from NATO, Suspilne reported.
Moscow has consistently rejected a U.S. proposal for an unconditional ceasefire backed by Kyiv and European countries, intensifying drone and missile attacks against Ukraine throughout the summer.
On Aug. 8, Trump announced a summit with Putin and reportedly told Ukraine and European leaders that the Kremlin is open to negotiations if “land swaps” are part of the deal.
Though it remains unclear what such a deal would entail, a source in Ukraine’s Presidential Office told the Kyiv Independent that Moscow seeks Kyiv’s full withdrawal from partially occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in the east while offering to withdraw its forces from the limited areas it holds in the northeastern Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.
Zelensky’s participation in the upcoming summit also remains uncertain, fueling concerns in Ukraine and Europe that Washington and Moscow could sideline them from the peace process.
Նյութերը գեներացվում են տարբեր կայքերից արհեստական բանականության միջոցով