German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to take his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska seriously, DPA reported, BTA reports.
“We expect President Putin to accept President Trump's offer of talks and to start talks with Ukraine without preconditions after the meeting in Alaska,“ Merz said in an official statement today.
More than three years after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, Moscow has the opportunity to agree on a ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities, the German leader stressed. He said today's talks in Alaska could bring "significant progress."
Merz stressed that Ukraine should participate in a possible follow-up meeting to agree on a ceasefire, and was categorical that territorial issues cannot be resolved without Kiev's consent.
The chancellor added that he would continue to maintain contact with Trump on all issues related to the territorial aspects of the conflict in Ukraine.