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“It Is Time We Ended the War”: Zelenskyy Urges Russia to Join Peace Talks as Europe, US Back Ukraine
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv and Berlin are in full agreement that the war must be ended swiftly and on terms that ensure long-term European security, signaling a potential diplomatic push in the coming weeks, with several high-level meetings under discussion, including with Russia, Zelenskyy wrote on X on August 7.
“Ukraine and Germany share the view that the war must be ended as soon as possible with a dignified peace,” Zelenskyy wrote after speaking with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “The parameters of ending this war will shape the security landscape of Europe for decades to come.”
I spoke with @bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz. Ukraine and Germany share the view that the war must be ended as soon as possible with a dignified peace, and the parameters of ending this war will shape the security landscape of Europe for decades to come. The war is happening in… pic.twitter.com/WipLdnfIF1
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 7, 2025
Zelenskyy emphasized that because the war is taking place on European soil, the European Union must be directly involved in all related peace processes. “Ukraine is an integral part of Europe—we are already in negotiations on EU accession,” he said.
According to Zelenskyy, Kyiv and Berlin have coordinated their positions, and he and Merz agreed to hold another round of talks soon. An online meeting of national security advisors from Ukraine, European partners, and the United States was scheduled for Thursday to further align their joint strategy.
The Ukrainian president also revealed that several possible formats for future leader-level peace talks are currently being explored—two bilateral and one trilateral.
“Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same brave approach from the Russian side. It is time we ended the war,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Zelenskyy outlined three priorities driving his current diplomatic outreach and said Thursday would be filled with calls and engagements aimed at securing peace and guaranteeing Ukraine’s independence “under any circumstances.”
Among his scheduled conversations are discussions with Chancellor Merz, as well as communications with French and Italian counterparts. Zelenskyy also ordered a special coordination session at the advisor level to help prepare for the next phase of negotiations.
He added that after a joint call yesterday with US President Donald Trump and European leaders, he held separate talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Earlier, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is trying to drag out peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine, but the threat of fresh US sanctions may be forcing him to reconsider his strategy.
