BERLIN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Russia must demonstrate genuine commitment to a ceasefire and peace agreement ahead of Ukraine-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi next week, as he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Berlin on Tuesday.
Merz welcomed the planned negotiations involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia as “the right step” toward ending the fighting, but said he had yet to see signs that Moscow was engaging seriously. He also stressed that Europe must be included in any process shaping Ukraine’s future.
The Abu Dhabi meeting, scheduled for November 10 and 11, will be the first direct Ukraine-Russia talks since February. Zelenskiy said the discussions are expected to cover security guarantees, an “energy ceasefire,” and a Black Sea truce to protect food exports.
Merz warned that no lasting agreement could exclude European countries, which have largely been sidelined from US-led efforts involving President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He said it would be “completely unacceptable” for third countries to discuss Ukraine’s future without Kyiv at the table.
Looking ahead to a possible December G20 leaders’ meeting in Miami, Merz said Zelenskiy should attend if Trump invites Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that Germany, currently the largest contributor to Ukraine’s support, would continue providing military assistance in the interests of Ukraine, Europe and regional stability.