Washington
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to meet within the next two weeks to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The announcement came after Merz, alongside other European leaders, met US President Donald Trump at the White House for peace-focused discussions. Trump reportedly spoke to Putin by phone to initiate arrangements for the face-to-face summit, though the location remains undecided.
Merz expressed optimism following the talks, saying the outcome exceeded his expectations. However, he emphasized that Ukraine should not be compelled to cede the Donbas region, likening such a concession to the US surrendering Florida. The German chancellor also highlighted the need for broad European involvement in providing security guarantees to Ukraine, noting that any German participation would require coordination with European partners and approval by the Bundestag.
The discussions underscored Europe’s strategic interest in maintaining Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the broader political order on the continent. Merz stressed that Germany has a major responsibility in these negotiations and confirmed that involvement in peacekeeping or security arrangements is certain, though the exact scope remains under deliberation.
The announcement follows a period of intensified diplomatic engagement, with Trump facilitating discussions between European leaders and both parties to the conflict. The forthcoming Putin-Zelenskyy summit marks a critical opportunity to explore concrete measures to end hostilities and provide long-term security assurances for Ukraine.
