Merz: Ceasefire conceivable for first time since 24 February 2022

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said after the latest talks in Berlin that there is a real chance of achieving a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine.

Source: Merz during a press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Merz said that, possibly for the first time since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, a real chance for peace has emerged. The chancellor used the word "Waffenstillstand", which can be translated as a ceasefire or truce.

Quote: "We will walk the path to peace together with you, with Ukrainians, with our European neighbours, and also with the United States. I believe that today we have taken a good step on this path and will take the next one."

Details: Merz noted that Russia is playing for time and putting forward maximal demands while continuing its war of aggression.

"This will not knock us off our path. We are pursuing five goals that we, Ukrainians, Europeans and Americans, have agreed upon together," he added.

First, Merz said, the aim is to achieve a ceasefire that preserves Ukraine's sovereignty.

"Second, this ceasefire must be secured by legal and material security guarantees from the United States and Europeans," he noted.

The chancellor said that the fact that the United States has proposed legal guarantees deserves close attention: "This is real progress, which I very much welcome."

"Third, we are developing the ceasefire together – Ukrainians, Europeans and Americans – this was the case yesterday and this is our mutual understanding, this is our shared success," Merz continued.

He added that the ceasefire must not undermine the unity and strength of NATO and the European Union.

"And fifth, the ceasefire must preserve Ukraine's European perspective and contribute to Ukraine's reconstruction," Merz stressed.

Quote: "Yesterday and today we made important progress in agreeing on a joint negotiating position. In confidential conversations, we explained our positions in detail and listened to one another. I hope that this evening we will make the next step forward to close ranks between Ukraine, the United States and Europe."

Background:

• An anonymous US official told Sky News that "90% of issues" between Ukraine and Russia had been resolved during the Ukraine-US talks in Berlin.
• Rustem Umierov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, said he expects that Kyiv and Washington will have agreed on common positions by the end of the day, bringing peace closer.

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