Ukraine-Krieg: Selenskyj vor Gesprächen mit Russland bei Merz

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj visited Berlin to discuss a potential end to the war with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Selenskyj informed Merz about discussing Ukraine's air defense and aid for its strained energy supply with Merz on the X platform. The visit was kept secret for security reasons. The US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced a new round of talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US for next Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, which will focus on post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian aid, and the path to peace.

European powers are urging the inclusion of US envoys in the talks, which are also expected to take place in Brussels, focusing on security guarantees for Ukraine, Europe's security order after the war, and reconstruction. Three major summits are scheduled before the end of the year: the Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, China on November 18-19, a "Coalition of the Willing" summit in Berlin involving approximately 35 states supporting Ukraine, and the G20 summit in Florida on December 13-15.

Selenskyj plans to request 70 billion euros from Europeans for the coming year during the EU summits, primarily to help Ukraine withstand Russia's winter attack. The conversation between Merz and Selenskyj in Berlin is likely to cover further military and financial support for Ukraine, mainly focusing on the acquisition of US Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to defend against Russia's long-range ballistic missiles, which the Bundeswehr has already transferred to other countries, unable to rely on their own air defense systems without compromising their own security.