Ukraine war: Friedrich Merz calls Donald Trump on the phone, Kremlin dampens expectations after Ukraine announcement

Next week, Ukraine and Russia will be negotiating under US mediation in Abu Dhabi for the first time since February about a possible end to the war that Moscow started in 2022.

Trump met with Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev on Thursday and announced a “big deal.” "It will affect more than just Ukraine, and I could even say that it could affect all of Europe." Everyone would be excited, he claimed. Trump said he did not meet with Ukrainian representatives who also traveled to Washington.

Merz spokesman calls for consensus within NATO

The Europeans have so far viewed the negotiations with skepticism, but now Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the US President have exchanged views on the phone about the course of the upcoming Ukraine negotiations. After the midterm elections, the negotiation process to end the Russian war of aggression is gaining momentum, and "a new sense of urgency has emerged," said government spokesman Stefan Kornelius after the nightly conversation between Merz and Trump. According to Kornelius, the federal government is closely involved in Trump's considerations, together with France and Great Britain in the so-called E3 group as well as with the other European partners.

Kornelius said they agreed with the US government on four basic points. The war in Ukraine must first be ended and then a European security order must be discussed. An agreement can only exist “in a closed context”, i.e. “when everything has been agreed”. In addition, the NATO partners would have to be on board by consensus. Since talks about peace in Ukraine essentially concern Europe, they are “not productive” without European participation.

Kornelius did not want to give a time or details about other content of Merz's conversation with Trump, for example about the Iran war. There is a constant exchange between the Chancellor and the US President. Last night, Trump called, returning an attempted call from Merz that was unsuccessful. "There is a need on both sides to exchange ideas on the issues," said the government spokesman.

Melania Trump gives letter to Putin

Russia is now open to future European participation: it is about the future security system in Europe and mutual security guarantees between Russia and Ukraine, said Peskov. "Therefore, a conversation with the Europeans will be necessary."

Negotiator Dmitriev also attended a reception hosted by First Lady Melania Trump at the White House, where the success of the humanitarian aid operation for the town of Oleshky, which was occupied by Russian troops, was celebrated. Melania Trump gave him a letter for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Dmitriev is now expected in Moscow with the letter and the contents from the meeting with Trump.