Umerov arrives in Berlin for talks with Germany, France, and Britain - Politico
Kyiv • UNN
Rustem Umerov is reportedly in Berlin to discuss security and EU membership with advisors from the E3 group. The meeting takes place against the backdrop of Russian threats to launch new strikes on Kyiv.
Ukraine's chief negotiator Rustem Umerov arrived in Berlin on Tuesday for talks amid Russia's warning to foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv due to planned airstrikes, Politico reports, according to UNN.
Details
Two people familiar with the meeting said that "Umerov will meet with national security advisors from the E3 group of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom."
A spokesperson for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declined to comment, citing a "confidential meeting." The Ukrainian Embassy in Berlin also declined to comment. Umerov, who serves as the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, was in Brussels on Monday for talks with a high-ranking European Commission official regarding defense industry cooperation and flew to Berlin early Tuesday, the publication writes.
The diplomatic engagement comes at a crucial moment after Russia launched a massive attack on Kyiv last weekend and threatened further "consistent and systemic strikes." Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged diplomats and foreign nationals to leave the city "as soon as possible," while the EU Ambassador to Ukraine rejected the demand, stating: "We are staying in Kyiv. We are staying with Ukraine."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a statement on Friday that Politico interpreted as America "stepping back" from the peace negotiations it has been leading, stating they had "unfortunately not been fruitful," and added: "If someone else wants to do it, they should."
European officials have discussed in recent weeks whether to reach out directly to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for negotiations, and names such as former German Chancellor Angela Merkel have been mentioned for the role, though she said she would not be the right person, the publication notes.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told the German newspaper Welt earlier this month that the E3 group would "make a new attempt to restart negotiations — with a greater role for Europe in the coming weeks and months." Merz hosted peace talks for Ukraine in Berlin in December, which included Americans but not Russians, with little progress, the publication points out.
The new E3 talks with Umerov in Berlin take place amid what Politico described as "tensions" between Merz and Zelenskyy after the German Chancellor published a letter proposing a scaled-back "associate membership" for Ukraine before it potentially becomes a full EU member at a later stage.
The President of Ukraine rejected Merz's proposal last weekend, stating that "Ukraine's place in the European Union must also be complete, full-fledged, and with full rights."
Zelenskyy: Ukraine's presence in the EU must be full-fledged23.05.26, 17:47 • 4003 views
One EU diplomat, who was also granted anonymity to speak freely, said the timing was "notable."
"Last week, many in Brussels were asking why Merz is publicly calling for associate membership for Ukraine right now," the diplomat said. "The fact that Umerov is in Berlin today suggests there is a clear connection in timing."