KIEV/BERLIN - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that leaders from Europe and the United States agreed on five principles for the talks with Russia, the Ukrinform news agency reported.
Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine must be directly involved in the peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Everything that concerns Ukraine should be discussed exclusively with Ukraine, he said, calling for preparations for a trilateral dialogue involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States.
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Zelensky underscored the need for a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine.
He also urged the imposition of stronger sanctions on Russia if it refuses to agree to a ceasefire.
According to Zelensky, he and Merz had a video meeting on Wednesday with US President Donald Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte, among others.
Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug 15 in the US state of Alaska.
Air truce talks
Ukraine is prepared to discuss a possible aerial ceasefire with Russia, the Ukrainian UNIAN news agency reported Wednesday, citing a senior official.
"Ukraine is ready to discuss and consider this scenario, viewing it as an initial step towards achieving realistic negotiating positions," Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak was quoted as saying.
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He noted that any ceasefire, particularly a comprehensive one, could serve as a starting point for peace talks.
Ukraine hits Russia oil station
The Ukrainian forces struck the Unecha oil pumping station in western Russia's Bryansk region overnight, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said Wednesday.
A large fire broke out near the building of the backup pumping station following the strike, it said in a statement on Telegram, adding that explosions were also reported near the tank farm and in the area housing the main and booster pumps.
The oil pumping station is used to supply the Russian army, it said.
The Unecha station, part of the Druzhba oil pipeline network, has an annual capacity of up to 60 million tons of oil.
Alaska summit priorities
Merz on Wednesday stressed that fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be safeguarded in the upcoming Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.
He made the remarks at a press conference in Berlin along with visiting Zelensky.
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Merz and Zelensky attended a series of virtual meetings with other European leaders and with Trump to discuss the planned Trump-Putin summit.
Calling for a ceasefire as the first step, Merz said that Ukraine must have a seat at the table in any follow-up meetings.
He also said that Ukraine is prepared to negotiate on territorial questions, but the current "contact line" must be the starting point.
