Ukraine Peace Prospects Optimistic, According to Merz
In a significant development, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has outlined five key prerequisites for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Ukraine crisis. These points were emphasized following high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., involving President Zelensky, President Trump, and European leaders.
- High-Level Negotiations: Conducting negotiations at the highest level is crucial, including a thoroughly prepared summit meeting with direct participation by Ukraine. The aim is to achieve a ceasefire by that meeting at the latest.
- Joint Security Guarantees: Providing joint security guarantees involving the United States and European partners is essential to ensure Ukraine's security in any peace agreement.
- Territorial Integrity: No imposing of territorial cessions is acceptable. Ukraine must make its own decisions without being forced to cede territory.
- Coordinated Efforts: Close coordination among major stakeholders, including the U.S., Russia, and European allies, is necessary to advance the peace initiative successfully.
- Direct Meetings: Holding direct meetings between Ukraine and Russia leaders is vital. Plans for a bilateral meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Putin followed by a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Trump are proposed to facilitate negotiations.
Chancellor Merz expressed optimism about the upcoming Alaska summit between Trump and Putin, stating there is hope for progress and peace in Ukraine. He also emphasized the importance of a joint transatlantic strategy in negotiations.
In addition, Germany, along with other allies, has agreed to finance a comprehensive Ukraine support package under the "PURL mechanism" for up to 500 million US dollars. The Ukraine support package is one of the first comprehensive packages to be financed and is aimed at providing robust security guarantees for Kyiv.
However, if progress is not made in the Alaska summit, the USA and Europeans, according to Merz, must increase pressure. It is also crucial that there can be no legal recognition of Russian occupations, and the Ukraine must be at the table from the start of any follow-up meetings.
Lastly, the essential elements in a framework agreement need to be agreed upon, and the principle that borders cannot be changed by force must be upheld. The Ukraine is ready to negotiate territorial issues, with the so-called contact line as the starting point.
[1] Source: Washington Post [2] Source: BBC News [4] Source: Deutsche Welle
- The ongoing Ukraine crisis requires a joint transatlantic strategy in negotiations, as stated by Chancellor Merz, considering the importance of high-level meetings, such as the upcoming Alaska summit between President Trump and President Putin.
- In the wake of the Ukraine support package worth up to 500 million US dollars, Germany, along with other allies, emphasized the necessity of maintaining the principle that borders cannot be changed by force and supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity during the negotiations.
