Accusing Moscow of playing "old tricks", Merz reiterates that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will not discuss the European security architecture

Russia has stated that it is willing to allow European countries to participate in Ukraine-Russia negotiations if it determines that Europe is ready to contribute to the peace process. European leaders are highly wary of Putin's attempts to solve Europe's security problems once and for all. German Chancellor Merz criticized Moscow for playing "old tricks."

Merz said that Europe and the United States have a clear position. "We will not discuss Ukraine without Ukraine, nor will we discuss Europe without Europe." "We already have a European security architecture, so there is no need to talk about this issue." Kaja Kallas, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, believes that Russia's request to discuss the European security architecture may defocus the urgently needed ceasefire negotiations.

In order to establish a unified European stance on the Ukraine issue, EU leaders announced after the Dublin Summit that ended on the 13th that a team composed of security advisers from the EU, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Poland will represent the entire EU in negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Council President Antonio Costa stressed that "Europe must have a clear and consistent voice in all discussions that shape the future of Ukraine and the European continent."