German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that despite recent progress in discussions over a revised U.S. peace plan for Ukraine, a major diplomatic breakthrough is unlikely this week.
Speaking at an EU-Africa summit in Angola, Merz welcomed adjustments made to President Donald Trump’s proposal and noted that talks in Geneva between U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials had produced a first draft outlining shared positions. He stressed, however, that the path to a settlement remains long.
Merz underlined that Europe’s support for Kyiv will continue, insisting that Ukraine must not be pressured into unilateral territorial concessions and must retain the ability to defend itself. He said strong armed forces and credible security guarantees from partners are essential to any durable agreement.
He also emphasised that European consensus is required on all matters touching EU interests and sovereignty.
Responding to reports that Washington wants Kyiv to approve the plan by Thursday, Merz said negotiations will now move to the level of heads of state and government, adding that he remains doubtful Russia is ready to engage seriously.
Merz reiterated that increased Western pressure on Moscow is necessary to bring it to the table. Without such pressure, he warned, “there will be no process, and if there is no process, there will be no peace.”
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Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
Armenian authorities have detained 10 more people in a vote-buying investigation involving the opposition Strong Armenia party, just two days before local elections in the northern town of Stepanavan.
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France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Friday that 70,000 security forces would be mobilised throughout the country to keep order on Saturday, adding there have been calls for looting and violence from the ultra-left.
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