German Chancellor Friedrich Merz struck a cautiously optimistic tone on Monday about efforts to end the war in Ukraine, as he departed for the Group of Seven (G7) summit of leading industrialized democracies on the shores of Lake Geneva in France.
"This summit is taking place at a particularly turbulent time in global politics. The situation presents us with challenges. But it also offers some opportunities," Merz said before travelling to the spa town of Évian.
“Ukraine is now in a new position of strength,” said Merz, adding that Russia would not be able to win the war militarily.
The Russian economy is in a state of crisis, the German leader said. "For the first time, a window of opportunity for diplomacy may slowly be opening here."
Merz met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in London on June 7 to discuss ways to get Russian President Vladimir PUtin to end the war, as well as the “urgent need” to ramp up production of defensive weapons and Ukraine's deep-strike capabilities.
Merz said the leaders intended to discuss their proposals with Trump in Evián, where Zelensky is also expected.
These could be "the first steps in a new diplomatic initiative towards peace negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, Europe and the United States," Merz said.
