Ukraine’s security chief arrives in Berlin for high-stakes talks

Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov arrived in Berlin for high-level talks amid escalating tensions following Russia’s warning to foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv ahead of planned airstrikes, POLITICO reports.

According to two people familiar with the discussions, Umerov is expected to meet with national security advisers from the E3 group comprising Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks.

A spokesperson for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declined to comment, describing the meeting as “confidential.” Ukraine’s embassy in Berlin also refrained from commenting.

Umerov had been in Brussels on May 25 for discussions with a senior European Commission official regarding defence industry cooperation before traveling to Berlin on May 26.

The diplomatic consultations come at a critical moment after Russia carried out a large-scale attack on Kyiv over the weekend and threatened further “consistent and systemic strikes.” Moscow also urged foreign diplomats and citizens to leave the Ukrainian capital “as soon as possible.”

The European Union’s ambassador to Ukraine rejected the Russian demand, stating: “We stay in Kyiv. We stay with Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled on May 22 that Washington could step back from its mediation role in Ukraine peace efforts.

“They were not fruitful, unfortunately,” Rubio said of the talks, adding: “If someone else would like to handle it, they should.”

European officials have recently debated the possibility of opening direct communication channels with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel among the names reportedly discussed for a possible mediation role, although Merkel later said she would not be the right person for the task.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said earlier this month that the E3 group was “making a fresh attempt to re-enter negotiations — with Europe playing a greater role in the coming weeks and months.”

The Berlin talks also come amid reported tensions between Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the German chancellor proposed offering Ukraine a form of “associate membership” in the European Union before potential full accession.

Zelenskyy rejected the proposal over the weekend, stating that “Ukraine’s place in the European Union must also be complete, full and equal.”

One EU diplomat described the timing of Umerov’s Berlin visit as “noteworthy.”

“Last week, many in Brussels were asking why Merz makes his push for Ukraine's associate membership public just at this moment,” the diplomat said. “The fact that Umerov is in Berlin today suggests there is a clear connection in the timing.”

By Vafa Guliyeva