German Chancellor Merz Says Russia Must Join Any Ukraine Security Guarantees

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that security guarantees for Ukraine should be decided by Ukraine and its partners, not by Moscow. He made the remark after a meeting of the so‑called “Coalition of the Willing” in Paris and emphasized Germany’s role as the largest sponsor of Ukraine’s defence.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded that guarantees cannot be formulated without Russia’s participation, describing the European position as a “dead‑end”. Peskov said that excluding Russia would prevent European countries from taking part in any settlement process. He also dismissed recent EU sanctions on the Russian tech firm VK as “utterly absurd”.

The exchange reflects continuing diplomatic tension over how a post‑war settlement for Ukraine might be structured, with the Kremlin insisting on involvement while European leaders push for a framework that limits Russian influence.