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German Chancellor Merz Optimistic About 30-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine

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Lucile Brizard
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German Chancellor Merz Optimistic About 30-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at NATO headquarters in Brussels on May 9, 2025, following his election on May 6. (Source: Getty Images)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine within days, according to a Bild article published on May 5.

Speaking in Brussels, Merz stated, “I have great hope that an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine will be reached this weekend,” pointing to Russia’s recent declaration of a three-day ceasefire as a potential foundation for extended negotiations.

Merz emphasized the “great chance” that Russia’s ceasefire could be extended to 30 days, leading to potential peace talks.

The Chancellor’s remarks followed a series of high-level discussions, including a phone call on Thursday with US President Donald Trump, where Ukraine was the central topic. On Friday, Merz met with NATO chief Mark Rutte in Brussels, and French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had visited him earlier in the week.

Merz noted that he had worked with Macron, Tusk, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to draft a “joint communiqué” that largely mirrored a US proposal. “We very much hope that this will also be accepted on the Russian side,” Merz said, adding that “the ball is entirely in Moscow’s court.”

In response to these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a summit in Ukraine with key European leaders, set for Saturday.

While the names of the leaders were not disclosed, the “Coalition of the Willing” is expected to include Germany, the UK, and France. Zelenskyy’s announcement came after German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Ukraine on Thursday.

However, skepticism remains within Ukraine’s government. Despite the international push for a 30-day ceasefire, Ukraine has expressed doubts over Russia’s willingness to comply, citing past violations of ceasefire agreements. A Ukrainian diplomat told Bild, “So far, we have not seen any willingness from Putin to accept the 30-day ceasefire.”

In related news, Germany’s new Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, on his first foreign visit, pledged European support for Ukraine during a meeting with Polish officials in Warsaw on May 7.

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