German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday invited U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NATO's chief and several European leaders to virtual meetings on Wednesday ahead of a U.

German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius confirmed the initiative in a press release, saying Wednesday's virtual meeting will focus on "further options to exert pressure on Russia" and "preparations for possible peace negotiations and related questions regarding territorial claims and security guarantees."

European leaders will hold a videoconference on Wednesday ahead of one with U.S. President Donald Trump to coordinate negotiations to end the war in Ukraine with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, a German government spokesperson said on Monday.