BERLIN

Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday reaffirmed Germany's support for US President Donald Trump's peace efforts in Ukraine while warning against Russian attempts to impose settlement terms through military force.

Speaking before the German parliament, Merz said he had spoken with Trump twice in recent days regarding Ukraine and other international issues. “I am grateful for his support of the initiative for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Such a ceasefire could open a window to make peace negotiations possible,” Merz said.

The German chancellor emphasized that European and American unity remains crucial for achieving a fair, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine while firmly rejecting any peace terms imposed by military force against Ukraine's interests.

“For anyone who seriously believes Russia would be satisfied with a victory over Ukraine or parts of Ukraine, or with the annexation of parts of the country, they are mistaken,” he said, warning that a dictated peace settlement would only embolden Russia to pursue more aggression.

“There must be no doubt about where we stand,” Merz said, emphasizing that Germany will continue to provide strong support for Ukraine. “We stand on the side of Ukrainians — without ifs and buts — we stand on the side of people in Europe who are committed to democracy and the rule of law, who want to live in freedom and open societies,” he added.

Merz sharply criticized Russia's policies and accused Moscow of attempting to divide Europe and destabilize European democracies through hybrid warfare, acts of sabotage, and disinformation campaigns.

“Look at the poisoning attacks and murders in numerous European cities — including here in our capital — look at the cyberattacks against our data infrastructure,” he said, alleging that Russia was responsible for sabotaging data and undersea cables in the Baltic Sea.

“These are overwhelmingly the work of the Russian leadership and its operatives, even here in our own country. We therefore stand united against all attempts to divide and destabilize Europe and our democracies with utmost determination, unity, and, above all, readiness to defend ourselves,” he said.