Zelensky Engages US and European Leaders in Berlin Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on March 10, 2024, for a crucial two-day summit aimed at engaging with European leaders and envoys from US President Donald Trump. The discussions focus on strategies to end the ongoing conflict with Russia, which began with a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Zelensky’s visit comes as fighting continues in Ukraine. He is expected to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who will also host leaders from various European countries, including Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK Labour Party, as well as representatives from NATO and the EU. High-profile attendees from the US include special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom were spotted arriving at a Berlin hotel on Sunday.

Zelensky expressed his readiness for “dialogue” to bring an end to the nearly four-year war. He emphasized the importance of the Berlin summit, stating, “We are meeting with both the Americans and the Europeans. Today and tomorrow are critical days for our discussions.” He hopes to secure support from the United States for a proposal to freeze the current front lines, rather than concede the entire Donbas region, as Russia demands.

“The fairest possible option is to ‘stay where we are’,” Zelensky explained during an online briefing. “This is true because it is a ceasefire… I would like the Americans to support us on this issue.”

The context of the negotiations has been shaped by recent developments in US policy. Trump has intensified pressure on Ukraine to reach a peace agreement, proposing a plan last month that has been criticized for aligning too closely with Russian demands. Following this, diplomatic efforts between the US and Ukraine’s European allies have ramped up, with Kyiv officials indicating they submitted a revised version of the proposal to Washington.

Zelensky noted that he has yet to receive a response from the US regarding Ukraine’s amendments but remains optimistic about the upcoming dialogues. He stated, “I am receiving all the signals and will be ready for the dialogue that will begin today.”

As negotiations unfold, the Ukrainian president has highlighted the need for security guarantees from the US before any discussions on territorial concessions can proceed. A senior official familiar with the negotiations disclosed that under the latest US plan, Ukraine could potentially join the EU as early as January 2027.

The urgency of the discussions is underscored by the ongoing violence in Ukraine. In the latest reports, the Ukrainian air force confirmed that Russia launched 138 drones and a ballistic missile overnight. A drone strike targeted a hospital in Kherson, resulting in two injuries, including a nurse. Additionally, strikes in the Zaporizhzhia region wounded seven individuals, as reported by regional governor Ivan Fedorov.

Zelensky concluded, “The most important thing is that the plan should be as fair as possible, first and foremost for Ukraine, because Russia started the war.” The outcome of these high-stakes talks in Berlin could significantly influence the trajectory of the conflict and the future of Ukrainian sovereignty.