Key facts
- Attempts by the US and Russia to end the war in Ukraine cannot find solutions without Ukraine.
- Any talks to end the war must include European countries.
- Germany and other European countries are trying to establish a format to speak with the Russian government.
- Finland and Norway leaders urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that attempts by the US and Russia to end the war in Ukraine cannot succeed without Ukraine and must also include European countries. Speaking in Singapore, Merz framed continued backing for Kyiv as a defense of Europe's political order, stating that as long as Putin does not want to end the war, Germany and other European nations will support Ukraine. He warned against a scenario where Russia, China, and the United States decide the war's outcome without Ukraine's participation. Germany and other European countries are working to establish a format for discussions with the Russian government, with Norway and Finland playing a constructive role. Leaders from Finland and Norway had previously urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.