Berlin, Nov 3 (EFE).- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Tuesday that Europe must have a say in negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine amid a renewed push by US President Donald Trump for a peace deal.
Merz also announced a summit of the Coalition of the Willing in Berlin on Nov. 19, expected to bring together the leaders of Ukraine, France, and the United Kingdom.
«In two weeks, we will organize a Coalition of the Willing summit here in Berlin together with France and the United Kingdom,» Merz told reporters after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Merz said the meeting would bring together a broad representation of leaders to establish commitments for aid to Ukraine in 2027, with a particular focus on military support.
The participants would also reaffirm Europe’s willingness to provide security guarantees to Ukraine after a ceasefire and continue diplomatic efforts to secure a just peace.
«Our message to Russia is therefore: the time has come to end this war. The localized ceasefire in Oleshky can serve as a model for an energy ceasefire and a ceasefire in the Black Sea,» Merz said.
He was referring to a recent humanitarian truce in the Russian-occupied town in the southern Kherson region, which allowed civilians to be evacuated and humanitarian aid to be delivered to those who chose to remain.
Merz said Russia had so far «stubbornly refused» such proposals and warned that its attacks in the Black Sea risked further escalation.
He accused Moscow of contributing to a global food crisis “at the expense of the poorest nations and countries in the world.”
The German chancellor described a new round of peace negotiations as “the right step,” referring to technical talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives scheduled to take place under US mediation in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10 and 11.
Merz thanked the United Arab Emirates for hosting the meeting, which he described as the first trilateral round of talks since February, when negotiations were interrupted by the US war in Iran.
He stressed, however, that Russia must engage seriously in negotiations on a ceasefire and a subsequent peace agreement, something he said was not currently happening.
“Europe must and wants to play a role in this process,” said Merz.
“Key elements of a peaceful solution, whether regarding sanctions or the security architecture, can only be resolved with us Europeans. And everyone involved knows that very well.”
He said it was up to Russia to show that it is “prepared for serious negotiations.”
Until then, Merz added, «we will increase pressure on Moscow and continue to support Ukraine with all our might.”
That support includes the military exercise «Koalicja2026», which is beginning this week and is linked to future security guarantees for Ukraine.
The maneuvers are centered in Poland but will also take place in Romanian airspace and the western Black Sea.
They involve German troops, military personnel from the United Kingdom and France, and Polish forces.
The ninth German-Ukrainian Economic Forum is scheduled to take place in Berlin the day after the summit.
“Germany, as Ukraine’s largest supporting partner, is taking exactly that responsibility. We are doing so because this war affects us directly. The outcome of this war will shape European security for a long time to come,» Merz said. EFE
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