Ukraine: Merz, difficult negotiations, Putin tries to buy time

Frankfurt (Germany), 11 December (LaPresse) – “We defend European interests even when we meet in the E3 format, together with Poland, Italy and other neighbouring countries. Speaking with President Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, we discussed in depth once again how to move towards a ceasefire in Ukraine. In recent days, we have seen American initiative and a dynamism that we have not seen since 24 February 2022. We are both in close contact with President Zelensky, with our European partners and also with President Trump,‘ said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Berlin. ’As you know, yesterday, together with Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, we had a long conversation with President Trump. The work we are doing together remains very difficult for one simple reason: President Putin continues to ruthlessly pursue his brutal war of aggression against the Ukrainian civilian population and is trying to buy time in the negotiations,‘ Merz explained. ’In this context,‘ he added, ’we have three main objectives. First: to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine that will end this terrible war after almost four years. Second: to ensure that the ceasefire is backed by solid legal and material guarantees, unlike the Minsk agreements, so that it is lasting. Third: to ensure that any negotiated solution safeguards European security interests and is not to the detriment of NATO and Europe. This is why it is essential that we Europeans are part of the process: no peace can be achieved without our participation.”