German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasizes that a peace agreement in Ukraine cannot be signed without the consent of Kyiv and Europe, insisting on their sovereignty.

Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, stated that a peace agreement for Ukraine cannot be achieved without the consent of Kyiv and Europe, emphasizing that Europe is a sovereign actor that pursues its own interests. In a speech in the Bundestag, he asserted that decisions related to European affairs must be made by mutual agreement, rejecting the idea of a negotiated peace without Ukraine's involvement.

Merz insisted that peace should not be obtained through capitulation, but based on democratic values. He also announced an increase in financial aid for Ukraine to 11.5 billion euros by 2026. In contrast, the Kremlin described European efforts to mediate the conflict as "useless."