European leaders will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, writing on the social media platform X on Sunday, announced that she was going at the request of Zelensky.
In Berlin, a spokesman for Friedrich Merz said the German chancellor would also attend the talks.
But before that discussion, Zelensky was in Brussels on Sunday, where he participated in a video conference with a broad range of European leaders, von der Leyen said.
French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Merz are co-chairing the talks for the so-called Coalition of the Willing.
The coalition is a loose grouping of nations backing Kyiv against Russia’s full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.
The discussions follow Friday’s high-profile summit in Alaska between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite Trump’s warm welcome for the Kremlin leader, the meeting produced no breakthrough on halting the war.
Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday called for strong security guarantees for Ukraine.
Wadephul praises Trump
Speaking ahead of a planned meeting in Washington between Trump, Zelensky and European partners, Wadephul said the talks would focus on elements of a negotiated solution towards just and lasting peace.
“Firm security guarantees are central to this,” Wadephul said during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Takeshi Iwaya, in Tokyo.
“Even after a ceasefire and peace agreement, Ukraine must be able to defend itself effectively.”
Wadephul praised Trump’s commitment to ending the violence in Ukraine.
“For a just and lasting peace, Moscow must finally take action. Until that happens, pressure on Russia must be increased, including through additional aid to Ukraine,” he said.
The German foreign minister also thanked Japan for its support, highlighting $12-billion (R211-bllion) in aid and the enforcement of sanctions against Russia.
Iwaya emphasised the importance of cooperation between Japan and Germany, as well as within the G7 group of leading democracies.
“There is agreement that a quick and comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine – and, with it, a just and lasting peace – must be achieved,” he said alongside Wadephul during a joint press appearance. – dpa
