Germany urges Russia to agree to ceasefire before talks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a ceasefire in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as a prerequisite for the commencement of negotiations. "Firstly, the weapons must fall silent, and then talks can begin," Merz stated in Berlin.
What do you need to know?
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz underscores that a ceasefire is essential for initiating negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
- Ukraine and its allies, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland, are advocating for an unconditional ceasefire lasting at least 30 days.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin suggests starting negotiations without any preconditions, but omits mention of a ceasefire.
What are the conditions for the ceasefire?
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as quoted by the dpa agency, emphasised that a ceasefire is a vital step to initiate talks between Russia and Ukraine.
"If the Russian side signals a willingness to talk now, it will initially be a good sign. But it's not sufficient," Merz noted in a post on the X portal.
"We expect Moscow to agree to a ceasefire now, which would facilitate genuine discussions. First, the guns must fall silent; only then can talks begin," he added.
Will Russia agree to a ceasefire?
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed starting direct negotiations with Ukraine on Thursday, 15 May, without preconditions. However, his proposal did not include mention of a ceasefire, which is a crucial demand of Ukraine and its European allies.
What are the reactions of European allies?
Ukraine, together with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland, has called for an unconditional ceasefire lasting at least 30 days, commencing on Monday. This unified stance reflects the determination of European allies in their pursuit of peace and stability in the region.
