Germany's Merz urges Europe-US unity on Ukraine war
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledges to make the German Army Europe’s strongest.
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Freidrich Merz attends the first cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on May 6, 2025 (AP)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that Western countries should not be split in addressing Russia over the Ukraine crisis, encouraging Europe and the unified States to take a unified position.
Merz, who took office last week, also promised that Berlin will strengthen its military to become "Europe's strongest conventional army" and play a larger role in NATO and the EU's standoff with Moscow.
"It is of paramount importance that the political West does not allow itself to be divided," Merz declared.
"And therefore I will make every effort to continue to achieve the greatest possible unity between our European and American partners," he continued, following two recent phone discussions with US President Donald Trump.
His remarks came as international momentum builds for a Ukraine ceasefire and renewed peace talks, with European partners supporting proposals for a 30-day halt in hostilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Donald Trump to assist in facilitating a meeting with Vladimir Putin, while accusing the Russian president of lacking genuine interest in ending the conflict.
Merz stated, "In the past few days, I have spoken with President Trump twice by phone. I am grateful for his support of the initiative for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire."
"Such a ceasefire can open a window in which peace negotiations become possible," he added.
'No imposed peace'
Merz emphasized that there must be "no dictated peace and no submission to militarily created facts against Ukraine's will."
He reaffirmed strong support for Ukraine, calling it "a joint effort of Europeans, Americans and other friends and allies."
"The outcome of this war will determine whether law and order will continue to prevail in Europe and the world -– or whether tyranny, military force and the sheer right of the strongest will prevail."
Merz committed to significantly strengthening Germany’s military, pledging full financial support to make the Bundeswehr Europe’s strongest conventional army. He emphasized that this aligns with Germany’s size and economic power and is expected by its allies.
Ultimately, he said the goal is to build a strong Germany and Europe that can deter conflict without the use of force, which requires taking on greater responsibility within NATO and the EU.
"Our goal is a Germany and a Europe that are so strong together that we never have to use our weapons. To achieve this, we will have to assume more responsibility within NATO and the EU."
Zelensky agrees to meet Putin in Istanbul, demands a ceasefire first
Zelensky announced on Sunday that he is prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for peace talks in Istanbul this Thursday, following strong public pressure from US President Donald Trump to accept the proposal without delay.
In a statement posted on X, Zelensky confirmed his willingness to attend the summit, while he also stressed that Ukraine expects a full halt to hostilities to begin ahead of the talks. "And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday," he wrote.
Zelensky added that a complete ceasefire should come into effect on Monday, framing it as the necessary groundwork for any meaningful diplomatic engagement. "Ukraine expected a full ceasefire to start on Monday in order to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy to end the war," he stated.
Putin had made his proposal public in a rare late-night Kremlin address on Saturday, offering to resume talks without preconditions. He criticized Western-backed ceasefire initiatives as opportunities for Ukraine to rearm and prolong the conflict. "This would be the first step towards a long-term, lasting peace, rather than a prologue to more armed hostilities after the Ukrainian armed forces get new armaments and personnel… Who needs peace like that?" Putin said.
The Turkish government has confirmed its readiness to host the negotiations and has been actively engaged in behind-the-scenes diplomacy to facilitate the summit. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reportedly spoken with multiple Western leaders to safeguard the process from disruption, calling the opportunity for dialogue "a window for peace."
