Germany's Merz: No peace in Ukraine without Kiev and Europe's consent

A peace deal for Ukraine cannot be signed without the consent of Kiev and Europe, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday.

In a major address to the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, Merz said: "Europe is not a pawn, but a sovereign actor pursuing its own interests and values."

US efforts to resolve the conflict are welcome, but decisions on European affairs can only be made in agreement with Europe, he said.

"Yes, we want this war to end as soon as possible," Merz stressed. "But an agreement negotiated between major powers without the consent of Ukraine and without the consent of Europeans will not be a basis for a truly sustainable peace in Ukraine."

The remarks come amid a frantic series of negotiations between US, Ukrainian and European officials on a peace plan presented by US President Donald Trump's administration last week.

For genuine negotiations to take place, Russian President Vladimir Putin must be made to realize "the futility of his warmongering," Merz argued.

Peace can only achieved alongside freedom, the chancellor insisted. "We do not want peace through surrender, but rather peaceful coexistence among the peoples of Europe on the basis of our democratic, liberal values."