German Chancellor Friedrich Merz dismissed the idea of direct talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite former U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for dialogue. Speaking during a joint appearance with French President Emmanuel Macron at Bregancon Fort in southern France, Merz said such a meeting “obviously will not” take place.
Merz contrasted his remarks with recent developments in Washington, noting that the situation was different from what Trump and Putin had agreed upon during discussions last week while he was in Washington. His comments signaled a clear rejection of the possibility of face-to-face negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
Just hours before his statement, Russia carried out a massive overnight attack on Ukraine, launching waves of missiles and drones. The strikes killed at least 21 people, including four children, in Kyiv, according to local officials. The U.S. special envoy on Ukraine remarked that the attack undermined Trump’s efforts to secure a potential peace breakthrough.
Alongside Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the unity between France and Germany in handling the war and shaping Europe’s future. He emphasized that both countries are aligned on key areas such as the economy, trade, and defense investments. Macron also pointed out that European progress depends heavily on Franco-German cooperation, saying disagreements tend to slow things down, while full alignment allows Europe to move forward more effectively.
