Ceasefire in Ukraine is impossible without guarantees from US and Europe, says Merz
Photo: German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Getty Images)
In Germany, it is believed that a ceasefire in Ukraine is possible only with the support of the US and Europe, which would provide security guarantees and ensure the country’s sovereignty, this was stated in a letter from Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the CDU/CSU and SPD parliamentary groups in the Bundestag, according to Politico.
In the letter, the Chancellor emphasized that diplomatic efforts are currently being conducted under difficult circumstances.
First, Russia is showing limited willingness to negotiate. Second, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is working to maintain unity within Ukrainian society. At the same time, transatlantic cooperation has undergone significant changes.
In this situation, according to Merz, Berlin follows a clear course: to support steps toward peace that will genuinely ensure the preservation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and the long-term security of the region.
"In this situation, we are following a clear course: we want a ceasefire that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty," the Chancellor wrote.
He added that, unlike the Minsk agreements, any current ceasefire must be backed by security guarantees from the US and Europe.
"We want to shape this peace as Europeans. This is only possible with a strong and united Europe, which we are striving for with full determination," Merz stressed.
According to him, during the New Year period, he actively worked with Ukraine, European partners, and the US government on possible steps toward a ceasefire.
The Chancellor also recalled that the European Council’s December 19 decision created the financial conditions for sustained support of Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russia.
"Russia must have no doubt about our determination," Merz said.
It was additionally reported that Ukraine, together with partners from the Coalition of the Willing, will finalize a document on security guarantees during a meeting in Paris on January 6 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. This document will serve as the basis for further negotiations with US President Donald Trump, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also participating in the meeting.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed coalition party members ahead of the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris, warning of the difficult situation in Ukraine. According to him, Ukraine is currently on the brink of a humanitarian and energy crisis, and international support is becoming critically important for maintaining stability and security.
Some German politicians believe that the participation of German troops in a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine should not be ruled out.
