From the perspective of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European heads of state and government, the current front line in the Ukraine war must be the starting point for peace negotiations. “We strongly support President (Donald) Trump’s position that fighting should cease immediately and the current line of contact should be the starting point for negotiations,” said a statement from the leaders of Germany, France, Britain and other countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President António Costa also signed the statement. It continues that the principle “that international borders must not be changed by force” still applies.
US President Trump recently made contradictory statements. After he had shown more understanding for the situation in Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia, in recent weeks, he recently seemed to back away from it. At the weekend he advocated that the current front line should be frozen in order to end the fighting. On Monday he said he didn’t believe Ukraine could win the war – although he didn’t rule it out completely.
Only Ukraine is serious about peace
The statement now says that Ukraine is the only party that is serious about peace. “We all see that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin continues to choose violence and destruction.” Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position at all times – “before, during and after a ceasefire.”
Measures are currently being developed to use the “full value” of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. There will be further consultation at the EU summit this week before there is a discussion between the so-called “coalition of the willing” led by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
