Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was set to meet with new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday as Ukraine seeks further military support amid a recent escalation in Russia’s bombing campaign, despite US-led efforts to end the war. The move comes as German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was set to meet in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday.

Germany has been the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the US. Merz has plunged into diplomatic efforts to try to secure a ceasefire and keep Western support for Ukraine intact since becoming Germany’s leader three weeks ago. European leaders have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of dragging his feet in US-led peace talks.

Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is ready to hold peace talks at the highest level, including a trilateral meeting with himself, Putin and US President Donald Trump. “We are ready to meet at the level of leaders. Both, the American side knows this, and the Russian side knows this,” he said, adding, that he would accept any configuration of talks.