The ceasefire in Ukraine is considered by Chancellor Mertz a prerequisite for peace talks, sending a message to Putin about the planned negotiations in Constantinople.

Response from Berlin

Following Moscow’s and Vladimir Putin’s proposal for direct talks with Ukraine in Constantinople next Thursday, May 15th under the “auspices” of Turkish President Erdogan, the reaction of Berlin was immediate, with Fridrich.

This is because Germany, after the US and the EU as a whole, is the country that has contributed to date most of the financial and military aid to Ukraine.

Chancellor Mertz said Sunday from Berlin that for Germany the main condition for the launch of negotiations between the two sides is the ceasefire.

“We expect Moscow to agree on a ceasefire, so that immediately there are real conversations (…) first must be silenced and then the negotiations begin.” As he typically said, the Russian side’s willingness is “a good first sign” “but it is far from being considered enough”.

Kiseveter: “trick” Putin’s proposal

The representative of the KO Christian Democrats on foreign policy, Roderich Kisveter characterizes Moscow’s proposal for direct “maneuvering” conversations and judges, speaking to Reuters, that the crucial element will be the acceptance or not of the “alliance of the willingness” for a 30 -day cease.

“Putin must be judged by the actions and not by his words,” he said characteristically, referring to the new Russian attacks in Kiev and Pokrovsk.