**Germany Hopes Zelenskiy Will Be Involved in Trump-Putin Talks**
In a significant development, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed the hope that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will be included in the upcoming Russia-US summit. This announcement comes as Europe and NATO rally behind Ukraine ahead of the crucial meeting.
According to sources, Merz is set to have a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Sunday. In an interview with German public broadcaster ARD, Merz emphasized that Europe and the US are working together intensively to prepare for the summit. He also stressed that the Ukrainian government and Zelenskiy should be involved in the meeting.
**A united front against Russia**
The move by Germany is a clear attempt to ensure that Ukraine’s interests are represented at the summit. The European Union and NATO have already given their backing to Ukraine, which has been locked in a 3-1/2-year conflict with Russia. Zelenskiy’s inclusion in the talks would help prevent Russia and the US from making decisions without consulting Europe and Ukraine.
“We cannot accept that territorial issues are decided between Russia and America over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians,” Merz said in his interview. This sentiment reflects the growing concern among European leaders about being left out of crucial negotiations with Russia.
**No peace at any cost**
Merz’s comments also highlight the German government’s commitment to ensuring that any peace agreement must not reward Russia for its aggressive actions. He emphasized that there can be no peace deal that might encourage further aggression from Moscow.
The upcoming summit between Trump and Putin is seen as a critical moment in the conflict, with Kyiv fearing that the two leaders may try to dictate terms without consulting Ukraine or Europe. The involvement of Zelenskiy would provide a much-needed balance to the talks and ensure that Ukraine’s interests are represented at the negotiating table.
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