German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington this week to participate in high-stakes negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, according to a statement from the German government. The talks, which will include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump, seek to build on discussions held during the recent Trump-Putin peace summit.

Chancellor Merz has been a vocal advocate for Kyiv’s direct involvement in peace negotiations following the summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. His presence in Washington underscores Europe’s push for a coordinated approach to resolving the conflict.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte are also expected to attend the talks, signaling a unified Western effort to broker a sustainable peace deal.

Ahead of the Washington meetings, European leaders will convene on Sunday for discussions under the so-called "Coalition of the Willing"—a group of nations committed to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and securing a lasting resolution to the war.