Berlin, 13 August 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Ukraine's European allies have reiterated five main requirements for a peace deal with Russia, in talks with US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday.

"We want President Donald Trump to be successful in Anchorage on Friday," Merz said following the consultations via video link he organized ahead of Trump's planned talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

But for the meeting to yield an outcome acceptable to all, it has to be made clear that Ukraine will be allowed to join the table in potential follow-up talks, Merz, speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin, said.

"We want negotiations to take place in the right order. There must be a ceasefire at the beginning," said Merz. Essential elements should then be agreed in a framework agreement, he added.

Regarding a third condition for a potential peace deal, Merz said: "Ukraine is ready to negotiate on territorial issues. However, the so-called line of contact must be the starting point and legal recognition of Russian occupation is out of the question. The principle that borders may not be changed by force must continue to apply."

Fourthly, Merz called for "robust security guarantees for Kiev" and for Ukraine's ability to defend itself to be maintained, while lastly, any future negotiations must be part of "a common trans-Atlantic strategy."

Merz, Zelensky and a number of European leaders held talks with Trump and his Vice President JD Vance to discuss the US president's upcoming meeting with Putin.

Photo: EPA