Zelenskyy to make unexpected visit to Berlin for talks with Merz – Europe live

Merz said the German push to increase defence spending was triggered by Zelenskyy and Trump’s meeting last year

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to make an unexpected visit to Berlin for talks with German chancellor Friedrich Merz ahead of next week’s trilateral talks with Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi.

The rumours about Zelenskyy’s potential visit started swirling last night, with Merz confirming the visit during an industry speech this morning. The Ukrainian president’s trips are usually kept secret until the last moment for security reasons.

“He’ll be here ‌with me just after midday, and things will be a bit different then.”