Europe and Kyiv lay out Ukraine ceasefire terms to Trump on call
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (back, left) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (back, right) preparing to take part in an Aug 13 online meeting with European and US leaders (on screen), in Berlin, Germany.
PHOTO: EPA
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- European leaders, including Zelensky, discussed ceasefire terms for Ukraine with Trump, prioritising Ukraine's involvement in negotiations.
- Merz stated Ukraine is ready to negotiate on territory but will not accept legal recognition of Russian occupation.
- Merz warned that increased pressure on Russia is needed if there's no progress, emphasising European support for US peace efforts.
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BERLIN – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said European leaders had laid out terms for a ceasefire in Ukraine that would protect their security interests in a call on Aug 13 with US President Donald Trump.
European leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensiy held the call with Mr Trump in a bid to influence his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin
“We have made it clear that Ukraine must be at the table as soon as follow-up meetings take place,” Mr Merz said at the joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We want negotiations to proceed in the right order, with a ceasefire at the outset.”
Mr Merz, who initiated the meeting with Mr Trump, said that Ukraine was prepared to negotiate on territorial issues, but “legal recognition of Russian occupation is not up for debate”.
The country would need “robust security guarantees”, he said, although he did not detail what kind.
If there was no movement on the Russian side in Alaska, however, “then the United States and we Europeans should and must increase the pressure”.
“President Trump is aware of this position and largely shares it,” Mr Merz said.
The German Chancellor noted that all conversations held with Mr Putin since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine 3½ years ago had each time been accompanied by an even Russian harsher military response.
If the same occurred this time, it would show conversations with Mr Putin were neither credible nor successful.
“If the United States of America now works towards peace in Ukraine that safeguards European and Ukrainian interests, he can count on our full support in this endeavour,” said Mr Merz. REUTERS
