Zelenskyy Meets Merz in Berlin to Discuss Military Support, Ceasefire Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin to discuss further military support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict with Russia. The talks focused on strengthening air defense, supplying artillery shells, weapons production cooperation, and efforts to achieve a ceasefire. Germany has lifted restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles, although it has not yet approved their transfer. Zelenskyy also highlighted the massing of approximately 50,000 Russian troops near the Sumy region, signaling a potential summer offensive by Russia. Both leaders emphasized the importance of sustaining sanctions pressure on Russia, working toward a just and sustainable peace, and advancing Ukraine’s EU membership and post-war economic recovery. Zelenskyy expressed openness to peace talks at the highest level, including a possible trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.