Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) will not commit to a possible European chief negotiator for the talks on an end to the war in Ukraine.
Merz said on Thursday at the beginning of the European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Dublin, “We have proven formats within the European Union and we will also discuss who then represents the European Union if necessary.” “But that is a question we discuss behind closed doors and do not argue openly with each other.”
He expects the Russian government to finally agree to joint talks. The Europeans must be at the table. Merz also pointed out that there is already a “proven format” with the E3. “We are partially working on this task together with the five representatives of Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Poland.” He sees “no problem whatsoever” with this remaining the case. It is not about individuals.
Ukraine is the top item on the agenda at the EPC meeting on Thursday. The EPC is an interstate cooperation among 47 European and West Asian states that cooperate in several policy areas. It is independent of the EU.
