German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed Thursday that a proposal on territorial concessions Ukraine is willing to make in its war with Russia has been sent to US President Donald Trump. This followed a phone call between European leaders, including Merz, and Trump on Wednesday.
The proposal mainly revolves around potential territorial compromises Ukraine is ready to consider to end the conflict. However, Merz stressed that the final decision rests with Ukraine’s president and people.
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In a joint press conference with NATO chief Mark Rutte, Merz warned against forcing Ukraine into peace terms that its people wouldn’t accept, especially after years of suffering. He emphasized the need for a peace agreement that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Trump expressed frustration with Ukraine and its European allies, including France, Britain, and Germany. Merz noted that further talks are scheduled for this weekend, with an international meeting on Ukraine possibly taking place early next week.
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The German Chancellor outlined three key goals in the ongoing discussions: securing a ceasefire, ensuring robust legal guarantees for peace, and protecting European security without compromising NATO or EU unity.