Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraine’s allies to maintain united pressure on Russia to end its invasion, ahead of high-level talks in Berlin with European leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Pressure must be exerted on Russia for the sake of a fair peace. We must learn from the experience of Ukraine and our partners to prevent deception on the part of Russia,” Zelensky wrote on social media Wednesday, warning that there are “no signs” Moscow is prepared to end the war.
The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to meet European counterparts and President Trump before the U.S. president’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky’s office said he and his team have already held more than 30 discussions with world leaders and senior officials in preparation for the Berlin meeting.
The diplomatic push comes amid intensified fighting in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have made rapid but limited advances in the Donetsk region, including near the mining hub of Dobropillia. The Kremlin claims the area as part of Russia.
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On Wednesday, Zelensky acknowledged that Russian forces had advanced up to 10 kilometres (six miles) in some sectors but dismissed any possibility of ceding territory as part of a negotiated settlement.
A Ukrainian delegate travelling with the president told AFP that recent Russian gains “did not influence” the agenda or objectives for Wednesday’s talks.
The Berlin discussions are expected to focus on securing stronger political and military backing for Ukraine, as well as strategies to counter ongoing Russian offensives.