**Ukrainian President Zelensky to Meet with German Chancellor Merz in Surprise Visit**
In a surprise move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Berlin on May 28 for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The meeting was revealed by Der Spiegel on May 26, citing government sources.
This high-level meeting comes at a crucial time as Germany seeks to promote European efforts to initiate further technical-level peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Chancellor Merz plans to discuss potential steps toward facilitating these negotiations directly with President Zelensky. He will also brief the Ukrainian leader on plans for a new European Union sanctions package targeting Russia, aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow to engage in serious dialogue.
**European Resolve in Diplomatic Push**
The visit is intended to demonstrate unified European resolve in pursuing a diplomatic track while maintaining robust military and political support for Ukraine. Zelensky’s trip to Berlin comes around three weeks after a high-profile meeting in Kyiv on May 10, when French President Emmanuel Macron, Merz, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the Ukrainian capital for joint talks.
The earlier meeting marked Merz’s first visit to Ukraine as chancellor and the first time all four leaders stood together in Kyiv. In a joint statement issued by the U.K. government before the trip, the leaders pledged solidarity with Ukraine against “Russia’s barbaric and illegal full-scale invasion.” They expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for a peace deal and urged Russia to stop obstructing efforts toward a lasting ceasefire.
**Previous Failed Peace Talks**
The meeting comes after a failed round of peace talks in Istanbul on May 16, where Merz had warned the Kremlin of sweeping new sanctions if Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to obstruct progress. However, no agreement was reached, and Moscow repeated its maximalist demands, including a full Ukrainian withdrawal from four partially occupied regions it claims to have annexed.
Despite this setback, European leaders remain committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution. During his visit, Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The visit is seen as an opportunity for the two leaders to reaffirm their commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.
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