December 8, 2025, 3:49 p.mDecember 8, 2025, 3:49 p.m
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz is skeptical about individual details of the US proposals for a peace agreement in Ukraine.
Friedrich Merz (left) visiting London. Image: EPA POOL
The Christian Democrat said this at a meeting with the heads of state and government of the so-called E3 states and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in London. We need to talk about these details, said Merz. “That’s why we’re here.”
He is curious to see what Zelenskyj can report about the talks brokered by the USA. The coming days could be “a crucial time for all of us,” said the Chancellor.
Merz, as well as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron about their respective countries, reiterated Germany’s support for Kiev. There can be no doubt about that. He added: “We all know: the fate of this country is the fate of Europe.”
Everyone agrees: “The fate of this country is the fate of Europe.” Image: AP Pool Reuters
Zelensky said important decisions had to be made. The deliberations in London are, among other things, about “unity between Europe and Ukraine and also about unity between Europe, Ukraine and the United States,” said the Ukrainian, and: “There are things we cannot do without the Americans (…).”
Negotiators from the USA and Ukraine had negotiated for three days in the US state of Florida until Saturday on a new version of the peace plan presented by US President Donald Trump. Its original version was widely criticized as a “Russian wish list”. Zelensky said he joined in at the end of the talks and called the exchange focused and constructive.
It is not yet publicly known to what extent the US plan with 28 points has changed. Important points appear to be territorial issues and US security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump, however, expressed doubts that Zelensky would agree to the new plan. (sda/dpa)