German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and several other European leaders, are pushing for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine to pave the way for peace negotiations. The proposal, primarily driven by Washington, has received the explicit support of key European figures and appears to have the backing of the UK and some Nordic countries. Merz emphasized that the decision rests solely with Moscow, urging them to demonstrate their commitment to peace.
The proposed 30-day ceasefire aims to create a window for meaningful peace talks. It's positioned as a continuation and extension of a three-day ceasefire declared by Moscow. There's a sense of urgency to capitalizing on a potential moment of willingness for de-escalation. This proposal is framed as a test of Russia's seriousness about seeking peace, and is backed by Ukraine, the US, and EU leaders.
NATO's secretary general, Mark Rutte, aligns with the view that Russia's decision is crucial. While Ukraine's eventual path towards NATO membership is emphasized, it's presented as separate from the current peace negotiation efforts. The sentiment is that the ceasefire proposal is about immediate de-escalation, while long-term strategic issues are addressed separately. The German Chancellor also reflects on his previous concerns about European independence from the US, suggesting a shift in American perspectives.