The key facts
- Merz: Ukraine's capitulation is ruled out, Germany will continue helping Kyiv
- Kaja Kallas: the US has been trying to force Ukraine to capitulate for a year and a half
- Europe demands a seat at the negotiating table
Statement by the German Chancellor
German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Ukraine's capitulation is unacceptable, as reported by the TV channel n-tv. The statement came amid Washington's pressure on Kyiv. According to Merz, Germany and Europe as a whole are ready for talks at any time. 'We are not providing Ukraine with any support to prolong this war. But capitulation — or even unconditional capitulation of Ukraine — is ruled out,' he said. In the Chancellor's view, Ukraine's capitulation would be a capitulation of Europe, which is why Berlin will continue to help Kyiv.
The EU diplomacy position
The day before, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that American negotiators have been trying to force Ukraine to 'capitulate' for a year and a half. She emphasized that Europe must be present at the negotiating table and put forward 'the most maximal demands' to Russia in order to 'balance' the talks and give Moscow 'a clear signal that it is interested in all these issues, including the lifting of sanctions'.
Context
Earlier, the Federation Council assessed the course of the new round of talks on Ukraine.
