Germany sees window for EU-Ukraine talks with Russia, sets conditions

The federal government considers negotiations between Europeans and Ukrainians with Russia to be possible in the long term, but sets clear conditions for them. "A window for talks between the European side and Russia is slowly opening," it was stated on Wednesday in government circles in Berlin. "However, the hard fighting of the last few days shows: This is likely to take months, not weeks," it was added restrictively regarding the possible start of talks.

The background to this is Ukraine's military successes in recent weeks, despite Russia's escalation in shelling Ukrainian cities.

At the same time, it was emphasized in government circles that there is still no clarity on who could conduct such talks. More important is that clarity about the goals is first achieved. For the federal government, it is crucial that there must be a clear political compass and a clear target image in such talks.

This all must take place "in agreement with Ukraine, in the greatest possible coordination with European partners, and as coordinated as possible with the USA." "Nothing without Ukraine, no separate German paths," is the motto of the federal government and Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This is the best possible expression of "a responsible and historically conscious German role and leading role." The talks should not create competition with the USA, which must remain involved.

Germany, France and Great Britain want to coordinate closely

"In the end, it will be necessary to have a format that is as capable of action as possible on the one hand, and is perceived as legitimate as possible by the Europeans on the other," it was stated in government circles. "There is much to suggest that the E3 will continue to play an important role in this." Germany, France and Great Britain have increasingly coordinated on foreign policy issues in this format in recent months.

The US government had declared its own mediation attempts between Russia and Ukraine provisionally ended due to lack of success. Unlike the USA, however, the Europeans are clearly on the side of Ukraine, which was attacked in 2022, and have just released a 90-billion-euro loan to the country. The federal government has also proposed that NATO allies significantly increase their bilateral military aid to Ukraine so that the country can defend itself against Russia. Germany has planned eleven billion euros for this this year.

The Ukrainian land gains in the Russian-occupied territories and the ongoing Ukrainian air strikes on military targets and oil facilities in the Russian hinterland had changed the debate in recent weeks, especially as there are signals of growing problems in the Russian economy. On Wednesday, Ukraine attacked targets in St. Petersburg ahead of President Vladimir Putin's annual economic forum.

There has also been an offer from the Russian side recently that Europeans could have a say. For example, Putin had suggested former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder for mediation in May. However, proposals for mediation by Schröder or former Chancellor Angela Merkel had already been rejected in government circles.

The chief of staff of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kyrylo Budanov, said that an agreement on a treaty to end the war by winter is a "realistic" scenario.