(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) As Russia and Ukraine are about to launch a new round of negotiations to end the war, Ukrainian President Zelensky visited Berlin. German Chancellor Mertz met with him at the Chancellery.
Zelenskiy said at the meeting that Europe's participation is crucial to achieving peace and that every effort will be made to ensure that European countries form a common position on all security challenges, including how to end this war. He also emphasized that peace must be dignified. Only in this way can peace be lasting.
Zelensky previously stated on the social platform X that he planned to discuss Ukrainian air defense issues with Mertz and how to help Ukraine repair and protect its severely damaged energy supply system. For security reasons, the visit was not announced in advance.
Zelensky also said at the meeting that the trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States and Russia will resume in the near future, from November 10 to 11.
This is consistent with the news announced by the US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkov said that the United States, Russia and Ukraine will hold a new round of talks next Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The negotiations will be attended by advisory-level representatives of the three heads of government and heads of state.
"The talks will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian assistance measures and follow-up actions towards peace," Witkov said.
European countries demand participation in negotiations
Witkov also said that the US envoy will meet with representatives of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, NATO and the European Union this week. The talks in Brussels will discuss issues such as Ukraine's security, post-war European security order and Ukraine's reconstruction.
European countries insist on participating in negotiations with Russia. Germany expects that even if European representatives may not be able to sit directly at the negotiating table at present, they will appear in Abu Dhabi in some form.
There are three important summits before the end of the year
After the talks in Abu Dhabi, three important summits will be held before the end of this year.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. From November 18th to 19th, during the APEC Summit in Shenzhen, China, the leaders of the United States, China and Russia may take this opportunity to hold a trilateral summit. China is Russia's most important supporter in the war in Ukraine. Politicians from many Western countries said that without China's help, Putin would simply not be able to continue this war.
"Volunteer Alliance" summit. Around the same time, a "Volunteer Alliance" summit was planned in Berlin. The alliance consists of about 35 countries that support Ukraine. The summit will discuss how to further assist Ukraine, especially to help Ukraine resist Russia's offensive in the winter.
G20 Summit: From December 13th to 15th, the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit will be held in Florida, USA. A question that attracts attention is: Will the Russian president return to the G20 summit for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine? If Putin attends, will Trump, as the host, also invite Ukrainian President Zelensky?
Ukraine needs anti-aircraft missiles and 70 billion euros
The talks between Mertz and Zelensky in Berlin are also expected to involve further military and financial assistance to Ukraine from Germany and other countries.
On the military front, Ukraine particularly needs anti-aircraft missiles to intercept Russian ballistic missiles. The most effective equipment is the US-made "Patriot" air defense system. Although many other countries have such systems, it is difficult to deploy them because these countries also need air defense protection themselves.
The Bundeswehr has handed over all Patriot systems it can provide without compromising its own air defense capabilities.
Zelensky said that Ukraine will need an additional 70 billion euros from European countries next year. This amount was proposed by him at the EU summit held in October this year.
How to raise this money will become one of the topics discussed at the remaining three EU summits this year. By then, the focus of discussion will be the EU's medium-term fiscal planning.
