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Thursday, October 16, 2025

Ceasefire and tougher sanctions. Zelensky and Merz told how the negotiations with Trump ended

Ukraine and Europe hope that the central theme of the summit of US and Russian leaders in Alaska will be a ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said following the collective talks with US President Donald Trump.

The group conference of European leaders, the President of Ukraine and the US leadership ended with the agreement of several key principles for the West, said at a joint press conference in Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vladimir Zelensky.

“There has to be a ceasefire – number one. There must be security guarantees, and really reliable ones. Today, by the way, President Trump said today that he supports this and that America is ready to participate,” Zelensky emphasised.

The Ukrainian president also revealed that everyone agrees that peace talks should be combined with appropriate pressure on Russia.

“Sanctions should be tightened if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire… Putin is bluffing as if sanctions are not important to him and that they don’t work. In fact, sanctions are very helpful and hit the Russian military economy,” the Ukrainian president said.

Zelensky also said that Russia is pushing on all fronts ahead of the Alaska summit.

“Russia is trying to portray that it is capable of occupying all of Ukraine… Putin definitely does not want peace. He wants occupation of our states. And we all really understand that,” Zelensky concluded.

Friedrich Merz called the conversation with Trump constructive and positive.

“Fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be protected in Alaska. This was the message that we, as Europeans, conveyed to American President Trump today,” the German chancellor said.

Friedrich Merz said that the European allies “made it clear” that Ukraine should be present during the next meetings, an emphasis was also put on the “correct order” of the negotiations.

“A ceasefire should be the starting point. Then the key elements should be agreed in a framework agreement. Finally, thirdly, Ukraine is ready to negotiate on territorial issues. However, the starting point should be the current line of contact,” Merz explained the general position that was presented to Trump.

According to the chancellor, there can be no talk of legally recognising the Russian occupation. Security guarantees for Kiev should also be part of the negotiations, Merz added.

“The Ukrainian armed forces must be able and remain able to effectively defend their country’s sovereignty. They must also be able to count on Western assistance in the long term. Fifth, the negotiations must be part of an overall transatlantic strategy,” Merz summarised.

The German prime minister added that if no progress can be made on Alaska, the US and Europe should increase pressure on Russia.

“President Trump is aware of this position and has largely supported it. We wished President Trump all the best,” the chancellor emphasised.

The German and Ukrainian leaders revealed that there is an agreement on a new contact with Donald Trump at the end of his meeting with the Russian president. It is agreed that the US leader will first contact the Ukrainian president and then his European counterparts.

US President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on 15 August

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