- Ukraine to manufacture tens of thousands of combat drones in Germany

BERLIN

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that there was progress in the midst of diplomatic efforts to find ways to end the Moscow-Kyiv war.

“We now have the chance for a genuine peace process for Ukraine. This plant is still small, but the opportunity is real,” said Merz at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin.

There is now “great diplomatic momentum, perhaps the greatest since the beginning of the war,” he added.

Since Sunday, intensive and confidential negotiations have been held in Berlin between Ukrainians, Americans, and Europeans, Merz said.

He emphasized that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, an unofficial advisor to US President Donald Trump, had played “a key role” in this. The goal now is to pursue objectives “on which we agree between Ukrainians, Europeans, and Americans.”

Common positions of US, Europe, Ukraine

The aim is a ceasefire that preserves the sovereignty of the Ukrainian state. This must be secured by substantial security guarantees. What the US had put on the table in Berlin in terms of legal and material guarantees was “truly remarkable,” Merz said.

“We are working out the ceasefire together, Ukrainians, Europeans, and Americans. That was our common understanding yesterday and remains so today,” he added.

The German chancellor expressed optimism about the further course of the Ukraine negotiations later in the evening.

“I hope that we will make further progress this evening and continue to close ranks between Ukraine, the United States of America, and Europe,” Merz said.

He was referring to a working dinner meeting of European heads of government with Zelenskyy, Witkoff, and Kushner at the chancellery, which will also be attended by representatives of the EU and NATO.

At the same time, he added, the aim was to “persuade Moscow to end its delaying tactics and move towards a ceasefire. That is why we Europeans will continue to increase the pressure on Russia.”

Security guarantees for Kyiv key to lasting peace

Earlier on Monday, government spokesman Stefan Kornelius told journalists in Berlin that a lasting peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine war will depend largely on security guarantees for Kyiv.

“It is a question of territory and security. The issue of security in particular will ultimately determine whether this war actually comes to a standstill and whether it flares up again or whether a flare-up can be deterred and prevented.”

“Core European interests are at stake,” which, if they are to be pursued, need to be properly underpinned, Kornelius added.