Europe Must Join Peace Talks, Merz and Zelensky Insist

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded European participation in peace negotiations with Russia during a meeting in Berlin on Tuesday, while Merz expressed doubts about Moscow's seriousness in the process. Merz stated that stable peace requires European involvement on sanctions and security architecture, and announced a summit of the Volunteer Coalition for November 19 in Berlin. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine needs security guarantees, including strong armed forces, EU membership, and economic reconstruction funding. The next round of talks between Ukrainian, Russian, and American negotiators is scheduled for November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi, the first since February. Zelensky prioritized ceasefire agreements on energy infrastructure and Black Sea grain transport, plus prisoner exchanges, and expressed hope for a future trilateral meeting with Putin.