Germany's Merz to host Zelenskyy, EU leaders for Ukraine talks

BERLIN

Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders in Berlin next week to discuss the latest developments in peace negotiations, his office announced on Friday.

On Monday, Merz will first hold bilateral talks with Zelenskyy on economic support for Ukraine and discuss the latest diplomatic initiatives, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said in a statement.

"In the evening, numerous European heads of state and government, as well as top EU and NATO representatives, will join the discussions," Kornelius said, without providing further details about the participants or the meeting's agenda.

Merz confirmed on Thursday that Kyiv and its European allies have developed a new Ukraine peace proposal, addressing territorial issues.

He said the proposal would be discussed with American officials over the weekend, adding that US participation in the planned Berlin meeting would be heavily dependent on the joint drafting of documents that are currently being worked on.