BERLIN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that European leaders have clearly explained to US President Donald Trump the terms they believe are needed for a ceasefire in Ukraine. These terms, Merz said, will protect both Europe’s safety and Ukraine’s future.
The discussion happened on Wednesday during a special phone call that included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, other European leaders, and Trump. The timing of the call was important—it was meant to influence Trump before his big meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. This meeting will be the first US-Russia summit since 2021.
Merz stressed that Ukraine must be included in all future meetings about peace talks. He said the process should happen in the right order: first, stop the fighting with a ceasefire, and then move on to negotiations.
According to Merz, Ukraine is ready to discuss territorial issues—meaning which areas belong to whom—but will never agree to legally recognize Russian control over any Ukrainian land taken during the war. He also said Ukraine will need strong security guarantees from other countries, although he didn’t share the exact details of what that would look like.
Merz warned that if Russia does not show progress or willingness to cooperate during the Alaska meeting, then the US and European countries will have to increase the pressure on Moscow.
He said Trump understands this position and mostly agrees with it.
Merz also pointed out that every time there has been a high-level talk with Putin since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three and a half years ago, Russia has responded with even harsher military actions. If that happens again, it would show that Putin’s talks are not honest or effective.
Merz ended by saying that if the US works toward a peace plan that protects both Ukraine’s and Europe’s interests, then Europe will fully support that effort.
