Macron announces a new Ukraine conversation with Trump

Chancellor Merz reproaches Russia: lack of readiness

Chancellor Merz regrets the sluggish progress in peace efforts for Ukraine and sees the clear responsibility in Moscow. « We agree that the Russian side would have had a good opportunity this week to have the first discussions about a peace agreement with a previous ceasefire agreement, » says the CDU politician after a meeting with the Ukrainian president Selenskyj and other heads of state and government in Albania. « We are very disappointed that this did not take place. » All conditions were met in order to be able to have a good first conversation.

« Unfortunately, the diplomatic efforts that we have made so far have failed due to the lack of willingness in Russia, now taking the first steps in the right direction, » adds Merz. Together with Selenskyj and his colleagues from France, Great Britain and Poland, Merz on the phone on the edge of the summit also on the phone with US President Donald Trump. « We continuously inform him about the progress of the talks on our site, » said Merz afterwards. According to information from German press agency made the Europeans clear in conversation that the sanction pressure must now be maintained.