Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to the media during a press briefing after his phone talks with the US president, in Kyiv, on May 19, 2025, amid the Russian invasion on Ukraine. The United States has agreed to "tightly coordinate" Ukraine talks with European partners following a call between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the German government said on May 19. Immediately after his conversation with Putin, Trump held a second call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and the leaders of France, Finland, Germany, and the EU Commission. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP)
Berlin, Germany — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday urged Western allies to impose fresh sanctions on Russia if it refuses to agree to an “immediate ceasefire” during an upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump.
Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin after a call with Trump and European leaders, Zelensky stressed that ending hostilities must top the agenda when Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
“We hope that the central topic at the meeting will be a ceasefire an immediate ceasefire,” Zelensky said. “Sanctions must be in place and must be strengthened if Russia does not agree.”
Trump has said he hopes to arrange a trilateral meeting involving Zelensky during the talks with Putin. Ukraine, which in March accepted a US ceasefire proposal, has ruled out substantive peace negotiations without one in place.
Russia, however, has rejected the ceasefire plan and resisted Zelensky’s push for direct talks with Putin.
“I have told my colleagues, the US president, and our European friends, that Putin definitely does not want peace,” Zelensky warned. “Russia is trying to put pressure on all parts of the Ukrainian front ahead of the meeting in Alaska.”
The Alaska summit will mark the most direct high-level engagement between Washington and Moscow since renewed fighting erupted, and is being closely watched for any breakthrough in the 18-month-long conflict.
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