Kyiv (dpa) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has travelled to Kyiv by train together with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In visiting the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the three leaders, together with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, are signalling their continued support for Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia.
While still en route, Merz, Macron and Starmer issued a joint statement in support of US President Donald Trump’s call for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire. This would “create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace”.
In their statement, the Europeans make it clear that ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia is not an option for them. They also pledge further military assistance to Ukraine so that it can withstand Russia’s “barbaric and illegal full-scale invasion”.
Merz had prepared for the visit on Thursday during his first telephone conversation with Trump. Sources close to Merz reported that the chancellor had informed the president about the joint statement, who had responded positively to it. Trump subsequently adopted a tougher tone in a post addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Truth Social portal and threatened sanctions if Russia refused to agree to a truce. During his visit to Brussels on Friday, Merz joined the threat of sanctions.
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