Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Tuesday for bilateral government consultations, as US-brokered ceasefire efforts between Russia and Ukraine remain deadlocked over Kyiv's refusal to cede territory to Moscow. Germany has emerged as Ukraine's largest military backer following a reduction in American support under President Donald Trump, and the visit reflects deepening defence ties, including German interest in Ukrainian drone warfare expertise. The talks coincide with a broader week of Ukraine-focused diplomacy in the German capital, with NATO chief Mark Rutte and allied defence ministers convening Wednesday as part of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.