Merz demands Ukraine at the table for post Alaska summit talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has called for Ukraine to be included in further negotiations following the summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last Friday in Alaska. “Ukraine must be at the table as soon as follow-up meetings take place,” Merz said on Wednesday in Berlin after earlier discussions between European leaders and Trump via video on the situation in Ukraine.

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Merz emphasized that a ceasefire must be the starting point of negotiations. Furthermore, talks should include “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine and “be part of a joint transatlantic strategy.” The Chancellor also stated that Ukraine is willing to negotiate on territorial issues. However, the so-called contact line must serve as the starting point, and “legal recognition of Russian occupations is not up for discussion.”

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Merz described the video call with Trump and other European heads of state and government as “a really exceptionally constructive and good conversation.” He added, “We wished President Trump all the best.” “There is hope for progress. There is hope for peace in Ukraine,” Merz continued. He stressed that during the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, “fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be safeguarded.”

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Trump and Putin are scheduled to hold talks on the Ukraine war this Friday in the US state of Alaska. Out of concern that the two presidents might make decisions over the heads of Ukraine and its Western allies, Merz invited the video conferences on Wednesday. Previously, Trump had suggested a “territory swap” between Russia and Ukraine.

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The video conferences on Wednesday began with a meeting of European Ukraine supporters, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President António Costa, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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This was followed by a discussion between the European allies, the Ukrainian president, and Trump, with US Vice President JD Vance also expected to participate. Finally, a conference of the “Coalition of the Willing” was planned, hosted by Germany, the UK, and France, with von der Leyen also attending.

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