Overview

• Merz convened EU leaders, President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on Aug. 13 in Berlin to coordinate strategies ahead of Trump’s summit with Putin
• He demanded Ukraine be included in any follow-up talks and that negotiations only begin after a ceasefire, rejecting any legal recognition of Russian occupations
• Participants agreed Trump will brief Zelenskyy first and then European heads of state immediately after meeting Putin in Alaska
• CDU/CSU MP Roderich Kiesewetter criticized Berlin’s support as limited, urging deployment of Taurus missiles, expanded air defense, troop training and transfer of frozen Russian assets
• Polls show Merz’s CDU/CSU trailing the AfD, underscoring domestic political strains that could hinder stronger backing for Kyiv