ATHENS

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned on Tuesday that if talks to end the ongoing war in Ukraine do not progress this week, the EU will impose additional sanctions on Russia.

Merz told the media at a joint press conference with visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that Ukraine's ceasefire proposal sends a strong message.

"If Russia does not accept the proposal, we will discuss a 17th package of sanctions at the European level, focusing on the energy and financial services sectors. The ball is in Russia's court," he said.

Merz also praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement that he would travel to Istanbul on Thursday to discuss the end of the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin in person, saying it demonstrates Zelenskyy's seriousness and willingness to reach a peaceful solution.

The German chancellor advocated for improved defense cooperation with non-EU countries such as Norway and the UK while deliberating on the EU's rearmament, which has received renewed impetus under the Trump administration following the shift from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region.

Mitsotakis, for his part, stressed that the EU should be at the center of any efforts to end the war in Ukraine and post-war reconstruction.

The Greek prime minister emphasized the importance of advanced cooperation among member states in managing migration to the bloc, which was one of the meeting's major topics.

"It is a matter of major national security, and a close partnership between Athens and Berlin is essential.

"We must emphasize the external dimension, returns, and the implementation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum," he said.