Negotiated peace and European involvement
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin on Tuesday to argue that European leaders must help shape any Ukraine peace agreement as US President Donald Trump renews his push to negotiate a deal with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Merz spoke alongside Zelenskyy in Berlin and stated that "Europe must and wants to play a role in this process" regarding the conflict. He argued that essential elements regarding sanctions can only be resolved with Europeans. He also argued that the security architecture can only be resolved with Europeans, because everyone involved knows that very well. This meeting in Berlin occurs as the Trump administration renews efforts to reach a negotiated end to the full-scale war in Ukraine and comes just before US-brokered talks between Ukraine and Russia are set to resume in Abu Dhabi next week. This meeting also takes place one day before the European Commission hosts talks with representatives from the US, Ukraine and European allies regarding Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and economic future.
The G20 summit and the risk of sidelining Ukraine
Merz also criticized the decision by the US administration to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami this December. He said the move is shutting Ukraine out of talks about its own fate. "If President Trump were to decide to invite the Russian president, then Ukraine must be the first topic of discussion," Merz said. He insisted that if Ukraine is discussed, then the president of Ukraine must be seated at the table. In any case, from his perspective, it is completely unacceptable for third countries to discuss Ukraine’s fate without involving Ukraine itself, according to Merz. European leaders, including Merz, have long feared that the United States may pursue a peace deal for Ukraine on terms that sideline Europe and disadvantage Ukraine.
