CaliToday (25/11/2025): German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has confirmed a lengthy call with President Donald Trump on Friday evening, where he "clarified Europe's unwavering position" regarding any future peace process to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
Following his return from the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Merz emphasized that Europe must be an integral part of any negotiation, stating unequivocally that "it cannot be that the great powers decide on war and peace while ignoring the voices of the nations directly affected."
The Domino Effect of an Unstable Peace
Chancellor Merz stressed the profound geopolitical stakes for the continent. He warned that the consequences of a Ukrainian defeat or collapse would reverberate throughout Europe, impacting security, political stability, and the fundamental geostrategic structure of the entire continent.
Merz asserted: "Europe has every legitimate reason to remain steadfast in its position on this conflict."
While acknowledging that a potential "opportunity" to end the war is emerging, Merz cautioned that the path remains "far from a favorable outcome for all parties." This realistic assessment sets a high bar for the scope and durability of any potential agreement being discussed between Washington and Moscow.
New, Credible Security Guarantees are Non-Negotiable
A critical point of discussion centered on the need for credible security assurances for Ukraine. Chancellor Merz specifically reminded President Trump of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, under which Ukraine voluntarily surrendered its massive nuclear arsenal in exchange for security guarantees.
He noted the inherent failure of those assurances to deter Moscow’s subsequent military actions. Therefore, Merz insisted that any future peace deal must be accompanied by "new, more reliable security guarantees" for Kyiv to ensure Russia cannot repeat its military aggression.
The German position suggests that while a ceasefire is urgent, a long-term, stable peace requires a re-evaluation of the European security architecture that is credible enough to withstand future challenges.
Trump Administration's Priority: A Swift Resolution
The phone call comes as the Trump administration, led by President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, continues to prioritize a rapid, pragmatic end to the conflict—one that is beneficial to global security. Washington views a quick resolution as critical and urgent after years of protracted warfare.
The dialogue between Merz and Trump underscores a delicate balance: the U.S. drive for a swift exit versus the European imperative for a durable peace secured by robust guarantees and the inclusion of European voices at the negotiating table.