German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday urged the West not to be divided over Ukraine and said he was working to ensure unity between allies in Europe and the United States on how to end the war, Reuters reported.
In his first major speech to parliament since taking office last week, Merz said the West could not accept a peace dictated to Ukraine or a status quo negotiated by Russian forces.
He spoke ahead of peace talks in Istanbul.
Since winning the February election, Merz has vowed to boost Germany’s role on the world stage and strengthen its military by increasing defense spending. While he has publicly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration as an unreliable ally, in a speech on Wednesday he thanked Trump for his support in seeking a ceasefire in Ukraine.
“Such a ceasefire could open a window in which peace talks could be possible. It is vital that the political West does not allow itself to be divided, and therefore I will make every effort to continue to achieve the greatest possible unity between our European and American partners. This terrible war and its outcome will determine not only the fate of Ukraine,” he said. According to Merz, the outcome of this war will determine “whether law and order will continue to prevail in Europe and the world, or whether tyranny, military force and the absolute right of the strongest will prevail.”