Thorsten Frei, who manages the Chancellor’s office and belongs to the CDU, stated that any potential discussions with Russia aimed at a peace settlement in Ukraine will depend entirely on finding the right timing and ensuring close coordination with international partners. When asked during the RTL/ntv broadcast “Frühstart” whether the Chancellor intended to call Vladimir Putin soon, Frei replied that there must indeed be the appropriate moment for everything.
Currently, the priority is centered on close coordination, both within Europe and with Ukrainian President Zelensky. This collaboration is being managed through forums such as the “E3/E5 format” which facilitates intensive coordination among European nations. According to Frei, the German Chancellor is engaging in this coordination “very intensively” these days. He emphasized that Europe has a significant interest in ensuring that peace in Ukraine is achieved from a position of strength and sovereignty, adding that Germany remains very clearly in support of Ukraine.
