BERLIN – Kyiv is prepared to engage in discussions regarding territorial issues with Russia, amidst emerging “hope for movement” towards peace in Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Wednesday, reports 24brussels.
These remarks followed a digital summit involving European leaders and Donald Trump, where discussions centered on the U.S. president’s controversial upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin concerning Russia’s war in Ukraine, scheduled for Alaska on Friday.
During this summit, Merz underscored that European leaders articulated the necessity to uphold “fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests” during the Alaska negotiations.
“There is hope for movement. There is hope for peace in Ukraine,” Merz declared at a joint press conference in Berlin alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Merz outlined a five-point consensus among European leaders regarding the talks, which notably included Kyiv’s willingness to negotiate on territorial issues. However, he emphasized that the legal recognition of Russian occupations was “not up for discussion.”
He insisted, “The principle that borders must not be changed by force must be upheld.”
Trump had raised concerns among European leaders by suggesting that Moscow and Kyiv might consider exchanging Ukrainian-held territories for regions occupied by Russia, igniting fears of a potential ceasefire arrangement that could exclude Ukraine.
Nonetheless, Trump later clarified that it was not within his authority to broker a deal and expressed his commitment to facilitate the return of territory to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy has firmly reiterated his stance against conceding any territory to Russia, maintaining that his position remains unchanged and that any agreement must comply with Ukraine’s constitution.
Aligned ‘to very large extent’
Merz also articulated other key priorities, including that Ukraine should have a seat at future peace negotiations, a ceasefire must precede any peace talks, and “solid” security guarantees would need to be established.
He further advocated for a unified transatlantic strategy, emphasizing the necessity to jointly “increase pressure… if there is no movement on the Russian side in Alaska.”
Merz noted that Trump largely echoed this stance.
Following the summit, other European leaders—chiefs of state from Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, as well as the presidents of the European Commission and European Council, along with NATO chief Mark Rutte—expressed a similar optimistic outlook.
French President Emmanuel Macron pointed out that Trump had concurred with the need for Ukrainian involvement in any territorial discussions as part of a ceasefire agreement with Russia.
Meanwhile, Rutte indicated on X that Europe and the U.S. are “united in pushing for an end to this terrible war,” adding, “The ball is now in Putin’s court.”
*Magnus Lund Nielsen contributed reporting.
