The big question of who might have a seat at peace talks with Zelenskyy, Trump and Putin will loom large as the E5 format meets in Berlin
Leaders of Britain, France, Italy and Poland will be hosted by Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday in what will serve as a trial run for the best format to represent Europe – rather than the EU.
The so-called E5 summit is regarded as a critical moment ahead of a NATO summit with Donald Trump in Turkey next month and amid expectations that, according to diplomats and officials, Ukraine ceasefire talks with Russia could begin within weeks.
The group of European allies will also announce steps to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences, including Patriot PAC-2 interceptors and efforts to paper over cracks between Warsaw and Kyiv.
Good news came from Emmanuel Macron, the French president, at a summit in Brussels last week, as he told EU leaders there is new momentum for Ukraine peace talks and that Europe will be at the table.
