European leaders to meet for Ukraine talks in Berlin

BERLIN, Jun 22: The leaders of Europe's top military powers will meet Wednesday in Berlin to discuss the Ukraine conflict and an upcoming NATO summit, the German government said.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to host the leaders of France, Britain, Italy and Poland, a spokesman said Monday, adding that the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had not changed those plans.

"We'll stick to our plan and carry on as we have been doing over the past few days," government spokesman Stefan Kornelius told a regular press briefing.

NATO chief Mark Rutte is set to join the talks via video link. The meeting is due to start at 4:45 pm (1445 GMT) and a joint press conference is planned for 1800 GMT.

"The focus of the meeting... is preparation for the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7 and 8 and of course the invasion of Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East," said Kornelius. Starmer tendered his resignation Monday but is expected to remain in office for months until a new leader is chosen.�" AFP