Germany Opens Door to Possible Merz-Putin Meeting After Abu Dhabi Talks

Following recent high-stakes diplomatic talks regarding Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the German government believes that Chancellor Friedrich Merz could meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Government spokesperson Steffen Cornelius stated in Berlin that an understanding on core principles was achieved during discussions in Abu Dhabi, as reported by DIE ZEIT.

“We achieved an understanding in Abu Dhabi on the main principles,” Cornelius stated. He added that this understanding will now be conveyed to the Russian leader, serving as a basis for further talks to develop.

The Kremlin announced via the official Tass news agency that Putin is open to contacts with the European Union and with Merz. The German chancellor stated last Friday that he would not rule out a meeting if Putin travels to Miami for the G20 summit in December.

Two-day negotiations concerning Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine concluded on November 11 with an agreement on a comprehensive prisoner exchange and plans for future diplomatic meetings.

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US envoy Jared Kushner described the talks as a good first step. Chief Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky told Russian state television that a partial agreement was reached, though disagreements on key issues remain, including the future European security order.

During the US-mediated trilateral peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi on November 10, Ukraine and Russia reportedly agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange following four hours of discussions between Ukrainian, Russian, and US delegations.

Interfax-Ukraine reported that a substantial number of prisoners would be released in the near future, although specific numbers and timelines were not disclosed.

Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service Chief Rustem Umerov outlined ending hostilities, securing postwar security guarantees, reconstructing Ukraine, and managing humanitarian measures as key priorities for the talks, which were scheduled to resume on November 11.

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