“We are under no illusions. There is no quick fix,” Merz said at a press conference in Vilnius.
“This is a process that has only just begun and may take many more weeks, perhaps even months.”
He emphasized Germany’s commitment to diplomacy, stating, “We are really not missing any conceivable opportunity to reach a diplomatic solution here. But we know we cannot achieve it in a short space of time.”
Merz stressed Western unity, noting coordination with EU partners and U.S. lawmakers as central to Germany’s strategy, adding, “It is also in America’s interest that we continue to move forward together.”
He cited broad U.S. Congressional support for the transatlantic alliance.
On May 16, Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul, mediated by Turkiye, agreeing to a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange but failing to reach a ceasefire deal.
On May 19, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke briefly with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, asking what to discuss with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in a two-hour call, according to Axios and The Wall Street Journal.
The Ukrainian president said that during his conversation with Trump, they discussed topics important to Ukraine, including the ceasefire and Washington's willingness to strengthen sanctions. He also asked the American leader not to make decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine.
After his conversation with Putin, Trump said that Ukraine and Russia would "immediately" begin negotiations on a ceasefire, and that the conditions for this would be agreed upon between the two sides. Trump also wrote that "the tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent" and that Russia wants to trade with the United States after the war is over.
After the talks, the Russian dictator essentially rejected an unconditional ceasefire and said that "it is necessary to work out the most effective ways to move towards peace." He also claimed that the aggressor state was ready to work on a "memorandum" on a ceasefire with Ukraine. Putin reiterated that Moscow wants to "eliminate" what he called the "root causes" of its full-scale aggression against Ukraine.