Trump-Merz Shift: Strack-Cimmermann Remains Skeptical, Ukraine Holds Meetings
Today, a significant video conference is taking place, led by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) of Germany. The conference involves Germany, France, and the non-EU country UK, with a focus on Ukraine and influencing the policies of President Trump.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), the chairwoman of the Defense Committee in the European Parliament, has emphasized the importance of this meeting. She believes it is crucial that any deal regarding Ukraine includes Ukraine itself, a country that has been at war for two and a half years.
Strack-Zimmermann has made it clear that the message to Trump is clear: there can be no deal on Ukraine without Ukraine and without Europe. She strongly supports a position that any peace deal must be anchored on clear conditions: Russia must fully withdraw from Ukraine, a ceasefire must be established, and, crucially, Ukraine must receive robust security guarantees, which she links directly to Ukraine's future NATO membership.
Strack-Zimmermann insists that Europe must demonstrate strength and unify around supporting Ukraine militarily and economically, tying peace to Ukraine's integration into NATO and the EU rather than making concessions to Putin. Her stance reflects a firm refusal to accept any deal that excludes Kyiv's full involvement and security assurances, underscoring that only with Ukraine's input and guarantees can long-term peace be achieved.
Strack-Zimmermann has highlighted the importance of Kyiv's involvement because only a solution incorporating Ukraine’s security concerns and aspirations—such as NATO membership—is sustainable. Without these, Putin would have incentives to destabilize Ukraine again. Moreover, she criticizes European weakness, noting Europe is currently sidelined in talks (e.g., between Trump and Putin) due to insufficient military and economic strength, diminishing its ability to influence outcomes meaningfully.
Strack-Zimmermann has expressed her expectations for the conference as modest, but important. However, she has expressed her disappointment that President Zelensky is not at the table during the video conference, given the focus on Ukraine. She believes it's good that Germany is working together with France and the non-EU country UK to influence Trump, but she warns that there can be no deal on Ukraine without Kyiv's involvement.
Strack-Zimmermann has also emphasized the need to make it clear to Trump that the people of Ukraine are defending themselves against the Russians. She emphasizes that peace without these guarantees would allow Russia to exploit the situation and resume attacks in the future.
As the video conference unfolds, the world waits to see the outcome of this critical meeting and whether the voices of politicians like Strack-Zimmermann will be heard.
- The video conference, led by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is discussing policies and legislation regarding war-and-conflicts, specifically focusing on Ukraine, which has been at war for two and a half years.
- Amidst general news and politics, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann has stressed the importance of Ukraine's involvement in any negotiations, emphasizing that Europe's policy-and-legislation or any potential peace deal must include Ukraine's security guarantees and aspirations, such as NATO membership.
