Merz says 'compromises' needed to reach Ukraine peace

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Ukraine will need to make compromises as part of any negotiated settlement with Russia.

Merz made the remarks after a high-level meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris, where officials discussed security guarantees for Ukraine and longer-term frameworks for managing the conflict. The gathering brought together key European governments alongside US representatives to assess both military and diplomatic options.

“Whether we silence the guns in Ukraine in six weeks or six months, we are working tirelessly to achieve peace. At the same time, we Ukraine and the EU countries supporting it will certainly have to compromise,” Merz said during a press conference following the meeting.