Ukraine Discusses Security and Reconstruction with Europe Ahead of End-of-War Negotiations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited Europe to launch a diplomatic push ahead of the resumption of three-way negotiations with the US and Russia.

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Germany, on the 3rd, President Zelenskyy stated that the working-level talks among the three countries scheduled for the 10th to 11th of this month will address security guarantees, reconstruction, energy, and a Black Sea ceasefire for Ukraine, adding that he hopes these meetings will lead to a summit-level gathering.

He emphasized that "stable peace cannot be achieved if Europe is not at the negotiating table," asserting that Europe, which supports his country, must have a voice in the end-of-war negotiations.

Regarding the Group of 20 (G20) summit to be held in the US next month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated, "Above all, the issue of Ukraine must be discussed first, and if it is discussed, the Ukrainian president must be present," making it clear that discussions on ending the war excluding Ukraine would be unacceptable.

US President Donald Trump has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20.

Speculation is growing that the leaders of the three countries, potentially including Chinese President Xi Jinping, may discuss the Ukraine issue.

Chancellor Merz announced that a summit of the "Coalition of the Willing"—a consultation body of some 30 Western nations supporting Ukraine—will be held in Berlin on the 19th, stating, "Now is the time to show that Russia is ready to negotiate seriously."

Prior to the working-level talks with the US and Russia to be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ukraine plans to hold high-level meetings with the US and the European Union (EU) on the 4th.

According to Reuters and other outlets, European Commission Spokesperson Paula Pinho told reporters in Brussels, Belgium, on the same day.

Representatives from EU member states France and Germany, as well as the UK, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the World Bank (WB), will also participate.

Pinho stated, "This meeting will build upon the previous talks held in Miami."

This refers to the meeting between US and Ukrainian delegations in Miami on October 9 of last month.

Pinho only confirmed that attendees from the EU side would be at the national security advisor level or other high-ranking officials.

Björn Seibert, chief of staff and a close confidant of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, attended the Miami meeting and the meeting in Oslo, Norway, on October 20 of last month.

In addition, regarding a question on whether US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would attend, Pinho responded that she did not know who the US participants would be, adding that she also had no information on whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would visit Brussels.

An EU official told Politico Europe that the upcoming meeting will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, economic support for reconstruction, and pending issues related to Ukraine's future.

NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart also told Xinhua News Agency that the meeting will discuss a fair and lasting plan to end the war in Ukraine.

Special Envoy Witkoff announced via X (formerly Twitter) the previous day that three-way working-level talks would be held, and Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also confirmed plans for the meeting.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.