Zelenskiy to Visit Berlin for Talks With Merz Ahead of Peace Negotiations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will visit Berlin on Tuesday for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Merz announced on Tuesday morning, in a Zelenskiy visit to Berlin arranged just a week before US-brokered Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations are due to resume.

Merz disclosed the visit while speaking at a business conference in Berlin, saying Zelenskiy would be with him just after midday. Visits by the Ukrainian president abroad are typically kept secret until shortly before they take place, for security reasons.

FAKTA: Zelenskiy visit to Berlin

• Who: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
• Where: Berlin, Germany.
• When: Tuesday, 3 November 2026, with Zelenskiy due just after midday, according to Merz.
• Announced by: Chancellor Merz at a business conference in Berlin on Tuesday morning.
• Context: The visit comes a week before US-brokered Russia-Ukraine negotiations are due to resume in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November.
• Germany’s role: Germany has become Ukraine’s largest supporter in its defence against Russia’s invasion, which escalated into a full-scale war in February 2022.

Announcement in Berlin

Merz announced the visit during a speech at a business conference in Berlin on Tuesday morning. Referring to Zelenskiy’s visit to the White House last year, he said: “He’ll be here with me just after midday, and things will be a bit different then.”

Reuters described the remark as an apparent reference to the sharp exchange Zelenskiy faced from US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in February 2025. The report added that Zelenskiy’s trips abroad are kept secret until the last minute and take place under the highest security precautions.

A show of support ahead of peace talks

According to Reuters, Merz made clear he intends to show his support for the Ukrainian leader a week before the US-brokered negotiations resume. A senior US official told Reuters on Monday that the United States will bring together delegations from Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November to discuss moves toward ending the war, post-war security agreements and de-escalation.

The report also noted that European leaders have backed Zelenskiy as he has disagreed with Washington in recent weeks over decisions by Trump to buy Russian diesel, suspend some sanctions and call on Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. Under Merz, Germany has pledged to maintain its backing for Kyiv and strengthen European security cooperation.

Why Germany matters for Ukraine

Germany has become Ukraine’s largest supporter in the war since Trump returned to office last year and withdrew US financial support, according to Reuters. Washington still provides intelligence to Ukraine and allows other countries to buy US weapons on Kyiv’s behalf, the report added.

US negotiators have been seeking a breakthrough before winter in the long-running conflict. The last US-mediated peace talks took place in February, before the US and Israel launched a war against Iran, Reuters reported.

More coverage from the region can be found on Watan News’ Europe news page.