Merz vows to do "everything" to end Ukraine war swiftly

During his visit to Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) pledged to “do everything we can to end this war as quickly as possible”. His visit to Kiev together with French head of state Emmanuel Macron and the heads of government of the UK and Poland, Keir Starmer and Donald Tusk, was “a very clear and very strong signal”, said Merz in the Ukrainian capital on Saturday.

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The Chancellor referred to the joint demand for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire from Monday and threatened further European sanctions against Moscow in the event of Russia's refusal. At a press conference in Kiev, Merz emphasized that his joint visit to Ukraine with Macron, Starmer and Tusk sent “a very clear and very strong signal”: “The signal that we are determined to do everything we can to end this war as quickly as possible.” He and his European colleagues, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, wanted to make “every contribution” that they “can and must make”.

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Merz emphasized that US President Donald Trump also supported the call for a ceasefire. "We are grateful that the US President fully supports our initiative, shares it and is also taking it together with us," said the Chancellor. "We are working together to ensure that Russia finally agrees to a longer ceasefire instead of constantly imposing new preconditions."

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The proposed 30-day ceasefire could "be the basis for negotiations to begin immediately", said Merz. In the event that Russia refuses such a ceasefire, Merz announced that the allies would then "continue to defend Ukraine" and "further increase the pressure on Russia". Almost all member states of the European Union and the so-called coalition of the willing are determined to implement new sanctions against Russia.

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At the same time, Merz emphasized that the conflict on the EU's doorstep was “a war of aggression by Russia in violation of international law”, which was “not provoked” but “exclusively initiated by Russia”. Germany supports "every effort" to "end this war in Europe as quickly as possible", also due to its history. Once this had been achieved, Germany would "also secure peace together with Ukraine, NATO and the European Union in such a way that Ukraine can live in freedom, peace and democracy in the long term", said Merz.