European leaders held a series of meetings on Wednesday aimed at shaping the agenda for Friday's planned talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders from France, the UK, Italy, Poland, Finland, as well as the heads of the European Union and NATO. The meetings concluded with a joint video call involving U.S. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

According to participants, the discussions focused on conditions for a potential peace process in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron said afterwards that Trump had agreed that "territorial issues cannot be negotiated without Ukraine." Trump emphasized that his main goal at the Alaska meeting is to seek a ceasefire.

Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's position that any negotiations should begin only after hostilities end and that security guarantees are essential. He said there is "no sign that Russia seeks to end the war" without continued international pressure, and that Ukraine "cannot agree to a deal that would require it to withdraw its troops from the Donbas region."

Merz described the talks as "constructive," noting that leaders had been able to "present a clear and united message" to their American counterparts.

The meetings took place against the backdrop of intensified fighting in eastern Ukraine, where reports say Russian forces have made advances near the city of Pokrovsk. The situation on the ground has added urgency to diplomatic efforts.

While the Berlin discussions reflected a high degree of alignment between Ukraine and its European partners, the upcoming Alaska talks are expected to test that unity. Observers say much will depend on whether Friday's meeting produces concrete steps towards de-escalation, or whether differences emerge over how to reach a settlement.

The Alaska meeting will be the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Putin since the latest escalation in Ukraine. It comes at a time when various international actors, including China, have called for dialogue and a political resolution to the conflict, while also urging that all parties' legitimate security concerns be addressed.

For now, leaders in Berlin have outlined their priorities: any agreement should be based on mutual consent, begin with a verifiable ceasefire, and take into account the perspectives of all stakeholders. How these messages will influence the discussions in Alaska will become clearer in the days ahead.