Merz: Further Compromises On Ukraine Unacceptable

• 13.05.2025, 21:23

The EU will tighten sanctions against Russian Federation if there is no progress on the settlement this week.

The further process of resolving Russia's war in Ukraine, the next stage of which is the talks in Istanbul, depends on Russia, as Ukraine has already agreed to the meeting. Moscow should agree to a prolonged ceasefire. This opinion was expressed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

"It now depends on Russia whether it accepts the offer of talks and agrees to a ceasefire," the German chancellor said.

Merz considered Zelensky's agreement to talks in Istanbul a compromise in itself.

"It also shows the seriousness of [Zelensky's] intentions and, at the same time, the willingness to compromise, that he is ready to do everything to seize the opportunity now for a ceasefire and subsequent peace talks in Ukraine," the German chancellor said. In his view, further compromises and concessions are "unacceptable."

The chancellor also emphasized that the EU will tighten sanctions against Russia if there is no progress within the framework of a settlement this week. "We will look at other areas [for sanctions] such as the energy sector as well as the financial market," he said.