MERZ ON UKRAINE PEACE CEASEFIRE MUST COME FIRST

Aug 13, 2025

In Berlin on 13 August 2025, before the Trump–Putin Anchorage summit, Chancellor Friedrich Merz sets out five German and European negotiating principles: Ukraine at the table; a ceasefire first, followed by a framework agreement; territorial talks starting from the contact line without legal recognition of Russian occupation; robust security guarantees, Ukrainian defense capability and long-term Western support; and a joint transatlantic strategy combining support with pressure on Russia. This is a dated public policy statement used to explain the position Wadephul refers to, not evidence that he cited this specific speech.

In Berlin on 13 August 2025, before the Trump–Putin Anchorage summit, Chancellor Friedrich Merz sets out five German and European negotiating principles: Ukraine at the table; a ceasefire first, followed by a framework agreement; territorial talks starting from the contact line without legal recognition of Russian occupation; robust security guarantees, Ukrainian defense capability and long-term Western support; and a joint transatlantic strategy combining support with pressure on Russia. This is a dated public policy statement used to explain the position Wadephul refers to, not evidence that he cited this specific speech.