Merz warns Trump against surprises in upcoming Putin talks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (photo: flickr.com)
European leaders fear that US President Donald Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in China could turn into a "second Anchorage moment," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, according to Reuters.
Merz urges Trump to avoid surprises
Merz urged Trump not to spring any surprises during next week's expected talks with Putin on Ukraine.
"Some here in Dublin fear this could turn into a 'second Anchorage moment'," Merz said, referring to the Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage, Alaska, which European leaders had viewed as a potentially pivotal moment in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
"I therefore want to state our message to the United States very clearly: please, no surprises. Continue to play as part of 'Team Europe' and 'Team Ukraine'."
Following meetings between US and Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi this week, substantive peace negotiations are expected to begin in the coming weeks, with European participation for the first time, Merz said.
He rejected Russia's calls to place Europe's security architecture at the center of the talks, arguing that the framework already existed in the form of NATO.
"The upcoming discussions must focus on one central question: within what framework can Ukraine's security be guaranteed once peace is achieved? First, however, we must actually reach that peace."
Support for Ukraine
Merz is pushing for EU leaders to commit to supporting Ukraine as part of negotiations on the bloc's long-term budget.
He said the proposal had received broad backing, although an agreement remained a long way off.
A "big five" group of countries could represent Europe in potential peace talks on Ukraine. Merz believes this is a format of cooperation that has been tested over the years.
In addition, the European Union is unlikely to decide on appointing a single special envoy for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine at the upcoming summit in Dublin.
A conversation between Merz and Putin is also possible following the talks in Abu Dhabi. Berlin said that an understanding had been reached in the UAE on the basic principles of a settlement.
