German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that European countries want and must be involved in peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, as key issues cannot be resolved without them.
Source: Merz at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Merz noted that a local ceasefire in Oleshky could serve as a model for agreements to halt attacks on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea. Russia had so far undermined these efforts, he said.
Quote: "A new round of peace talks is the right step. Europe wants to and must take part in this process. The key issues in a peace settlement are sanctions and the security architecture. They cannot be resolved without our participation. All sides understand this.
Russia must now demonstrate its readiness for serious negotiations. Until then, we will continue to increase pressure on Moscow and support Ukraine with all our strength."
Background: US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has announced that trilateral talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war will take place in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November and will focus on further steps towards peace. Czech President Petr Pavel previously said that there is a window of opportunity for Europe to join the negotiations, but that it can close if European countries insist on finding a fully unified position.
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