Merz hopes for transparency and honesty in peace process

European and Canadian officials have coordinated further efforts to bring peace to Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

"We are moving the peace process forward. Transparency and honesty are now required from everyone – including Russia," Merz wrote on X.

Von der Leyen said there had been a good discussion about support for Ukraine, its security and the reconstruction of the country, which has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion since 2022.

"Ultimately, the prosperity of a free Ukrainian state lies in the accession to the EU. It's also a key security guarantee in its own right," the commission president wrote.

Accession doesn't only benefit countries that join, but as the successive waves of enlargement show, the whole of Europe benefits, she added.

Despite recent talks between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, peace efforts are currently overshadowed by Russian accusations that Kiev has targeted Putin himself.

Moscow said Ukraine attempted a drone attack on Putin's residence on Sunday night. Ukraine has denied that such an attack took place.