“The United States and Russia – with all due respect – cannot decide whether Ukraine will become a member of the European Union,” Zelensky said. “For this we need the support of other countries, and all these countries are in Europe.”
Merz’s meeting with Zelensky in Berlin comes as the Trump administration renews its efforts to achieve a negotiated end to the large-scale war in Ukraine and before U.S.-brokered talks between Ukraine and Russia resume in Abu Dhabi next week.
The meeting in Berlin also comes a day before discussions hosted by the European Commission with representatives of the United States, Ukraine and key European allies on post-war reconstruction and Ukraine’s economic future.
Merz also sharply criticized the US decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami in December, saying the move excluded Ukraine from negotiations over its own fate.
“If President Trump decides to invite the Russian president, then Ukraine should be the first topic of discussion,” Merz said. “And if Ukraine is discussed, then the Ukrainian president must be seated at the table. Regardless, from my point of view, it is completely unacceptable for third countries to discuss the fate of Ukraine without involving Ukraine itself.”
European leaders, including Merz, have long feared that the United States would strike a peace deal with Ukraine on terms that would marginalize Europe and disadvantage Ukraine.
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