Merz promises to maintain Western unity on Ukraine: 'I will make every effort'
Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed support for an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine and emphasized the need to maintain unity between the European Union and the United States, Reuters reports.
Merz urged the West not to become divided over Ukraine and said he is working to ensure unity among allies in Europe and the United States on how to end the war.
"No dictated peace and no submission to facts created by military force against Ukraine's will are compatible with our position," the German Chancellor said.
Merz made his remarks just one day before planned peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Istanbul.
"Such a ceasefire (temporary, 30-day - ed.) can open a window in which peace negotiations become possible… It is of paramount importance that the political West does not allow itself to be divided, and therefore I will make every effort to continue to achieve the greatest possible unity between our European and American partners," the German Chancellor added.
Merz also stressed that the outcome of the war in Ukraine will have far-reaching consequences beyond Ukraine itself.
"The outcome of this war will determine whether law and order will continue to prevail in Europe and the world, or whether tyranny, military force, and the sheer right of the strongest will prevail," the German Chancellor concluded.
Russia-Ukraine talks in Türkiye
Earlier, several European leaders, along with Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, agreed that a temporary truce between Russia and Ukraine should begin on Monday, May 12.
However, on May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the proposal for a ceasefire but said that Russia is ready to resume negotiations with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul.
President Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine's willingness to enter into dialogue, but reiterated that a meeting could only happen after a ceasefire is in place.
Istanbul has since declared its readiness to mediate the planned talks.
Furthermore, Keith Kellogg, the US President's Special Envoy, previously stated that negotiations would only become possible after the implementation of a ceasefire.
