Speaking in Berlin alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he had seen no signs that Russia was seriously considering brokering a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Both Zelensky and Merz said the European Union must help shape any lasting peace.
Germany expects European representatives to be in Abu Dhabi for U.S.-led negotiations with Ukraine and Russia next week, although they are unlikely to have a seat at the table.
“It is important that Russia finally and seriously engages in negotiations on a ceasefire and a subsequent peace agreement,” Merz said when asked about the Abu Dhabi talks. “I don’t think that’s happening right now.”
Zelensky said he hoped the Abu Dhabi talks, the first trilateral meeting since February, could pave the way for a direct meeting between Ukraine’s president and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who has so far refused several offers from Zelensky for face-to-face talks.
“We count on the fact that work in this format and our other diplomatic steps will pave the way for a trilateral format at the leadership level,” he told reporters.
Europe must have a say on post-war security
Merz said Europe must have a say on sanctions and post-war security.
He said the local ceasefire in Oleshky could serve as a model for a broader truce, but warned that Russian attacks in the Black Sea risked escalating further. “Russia is precipitating a global food crisis, to the detriment of the world’s poorest nations and countries,” he said.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine wanted to stop attacks on energy infrastructure, ensure the safe passage of grain shipments across the Black Sea and continue prisoner exchanges.
Ukraine’s president said a ceasefire alone would not guarantee lasting peace. Ukraine would need security guarantees supported by Europe and the United States. He insisted that Europe must be involved in the negotiations.
“There can be no lasting peace if Europe is not at the negotiating table,” Zelensky said.
He said Ukraine would join the United States, its European partners and NATO on Wednesday for negotiations on security guarantees and reconstruction in Brussels.
Russia increases attacks against Ukrainian civilians
The Berlin talks come as Russia continues to intensify its airstrikes against Ukrainian civilians.
Zelensky said at least 33 people were killed and more than 50 may be trapped in the rubble, after multiple Russian strikes on a school building used as an aid distribution center in the southeastern frontline village on Monday.
Ukrainian officials said Russian forces launched a first strike against residents waiting to receive help, then struck again in the same location after waiting for help to arrive, killing several of them and destroying emergency vehicles.
Speaking in Berlin, Zelensky described the strike as “one of the biggest Russian killings of this war.”
On Tuesday, at least 73 people were injured in a strike on a hospital in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, and 226 patients had to be transferred to other hospitals, regional prosecutors said.
Germany promises aid before winter
“As we approach next winter, air defense and the energy sector are our priorities,” Merz said. He said Germany would soon provide new aid in both areas and would provide additional winter aid this year.
Zelensky thanked Germany for helping protect Ukraine’s skies and supporting its energy infrastructure.
“Without Germany we would not be as strong as we are,” he said.
He said Ukraine urgently needs more air defense equipment, including Patriot interceptors.
Zelensky told European leaders in October that Ukraine would need an additional 70 billion euros ($78 billion) from European governments next year. Germany plans to hold a summit of countries supporting Ukraine in mid-November to discuss additional support before winter.
How has Berlin strengthened its security?
The visit coincides with the opening of the Berlin Security Conference, which brings together European officials and defense experts. Russia’s war in Ukraine is high on the agenda.
Police said around 3,400 additional officers had been deployed for the visit and conference, with reinforcements from across Germany.
Armed officers guarded barriers around parts of the government district and special police units deployed snipers. Roads were also closed in western Berlin, particularly near the Kurfürstendamm shopping avenue.
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