German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that currently, international allies are not negotiating the deployment of troops to assist Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Attention is now focused on discussing possible security guarantees for Ukraine that could strengthen its position in the confrontation with the Russian Federation.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Key Approaches to Ending the War
In an interview with the German broadcaster ZDF on August 31, Friedrich Merz noted that Russia’s war against Ukraine could continue indefinitely. He stressed that diplomatic efforts are aimed at ending hostilities as soon as possible, but this should not come at the expense of concessions from Ukraine. In his opinion, Kyiv’s capitulation would pave the way for new aggression from Russia against other countries.
“And the day after tomorrow, it could be us,” Merz added. “This is not an option.”
In response to a question about the prospects of achieving a ceasefire soon, Merz stated that he remains hopeful for a positive outcome but acknowledges the complexity of the situation and has no illusions about a quick end to the war.
Positions of Western Leaders on the Future Negotiation Process
Previously, Friedrich Merz stated that hostilities could last for several more months, and the main task for Germany and France remains maintaining the international coalition that supports Ukraine. On August 28, the Chancellor stated that a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine does not currently seem possible.
With the change of administration in the U.S., President Donald Trump emphasizes the need for a swift end to the ongoing war from Russia against Ukraine. His team, however, focuses not so much on supporting Kyiv as on achieving a peace agreement and halting hostilities.
Recently, U.S. representatives have reported some progress towards a peaceful settlement. Donald Trump has met with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. The American president highlighted his desire to organize a personal meeting between the leaders of the two countries, emphasizing the necessity of ending the war.
In response to comments about Putin’s refusal to meet with Zelensky, Trump stated that such public statements are not decisive, and the parties are merely trying to influence public opinion. He also noted that the responsibility for the lack of progress in the peace process lies not only with Russia but also with Ukraine, adding that sanctions could be applied not only against Russia but also against Ukraine.
Recently, Trump warned that Russia could face “serious consequences” if the meeting between Zelensky and Putin does not take place, but he did not provide details regarding these possible actions.