German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin must acknowledge that there is no successful way out for him from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“We want this war to end as soon as possible,” Merz told lawmakers in the Bundestag.
No Peace Deal Without Ukraine and Europe
Merz emphasized that any agreement negotiated between major powers without the consent of Ukraine and European nations cannot form the basis of a real and lasting peace.
“An agreement negotiated between great powers without Ukraine’s approval and without the approval of Europeans will not be the foundation for a true and sustainable peace in Ukraine,” he added.
His remarks come a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to discuss a U.S.-backed framework aimed at ending the war with Russia, stressing that talks must include European allies and that key issues would need to be addressed directly with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Germany Increases Support for Ukraine
Merz underlined that Germany will continue supporting the Ukrainian people, including through the use of frozen Russian assets. He announced that Germany’s financial assistance to Ukraine will increase to €11.5 billion in the 2026 budget, up from the previously planned €8.5 billion.
“Decisions on European matters can only be made with mutual consent. Ukraine is not a chess piece but a sovereign actor defending its own interests and values,” Merz declared.
