Kathmandu: European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are set to hold online talks with US President Donald Trump on Friday as tensions escalate over the ongoing war in Ukraine. The move comes ahead of a planned discussion between European leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that Zelensky would travel to Berlin for a video conference. The talks will include leaders from France, Britain, Italy, Poland, and Finland, as well as top officials from the European Union (EU) and NATO. Following this session, a second round of conference calls is expected with Trump and US Vice President J.D. Vance.

Concerns Over Ukraine's Exclusion from Trump-Putin Meeting

Zelensky’s absence from the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin has sparked fears that Ukraine could face pressure to make painful territorial concessions. EU leaders have reiterated Ukraine’s sovereign right to determine its future and stressed that international borders cannot be altered by force. Zelensky has firmly rejected Moscow’s demand to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the Donbas region.

Agenda: Pressure on Russia and Possible Peace Talks

Berlin stated that the Friday meeting will focus on strategies to increase pressure on Russia, preparations for potential peace negotiations, and critical issues surrounding territorial integrity and security guarantees. Leaders will also explore steps to counter Russia’s growing influence on the battlefield.

Trump, who is scheduled to meet Putin in Alaska on Monday, expressed cautious optimism. “It’s really a somewhat realized meeting, ultimately some prisoner exchanges and some land changes,” Trump said, signaling that while a breakthrough remains unlikely, limited agreements could be reached.

Russia’s Demands and Ukraine’s Stance

Moscow has called for Ukraine to withdraw troops from Russian-claimed territories, adopt a neutral status, and abandon its NATO aspirations as preconditions for peace. Kyiv, however, maintains that it will never recognize Russian control over its sovereign land.

In recent statements, Zelensky warned of intensified Russian military activities. “We have seen that the Russian army is not preparing to end the war. On the contrary, they are carrying out additional activities that indicate preparations for new aggressive actions,” he said on social media.