Merz Hosts Zelenskiy in Berlin: Russia Must Show It Is Serious About a Ceasefire at Abu Dhabi Talks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Berlin on November 3, promising continued military and energy support for Ukraine into the winter and warning that Russian attacks in the Black Sea risk further escalation and a global food crisis.
Merz said the new round of talks between Ukrainian, Russian and United States negotiators in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11 was the right step, and that Russia must show it is serious about a ceasefire and peace agreement. Any lasting deal, he said, needs European involvement. The talks are expected to cover security guarantees, an energy ceasefire and a Black Sea truce for food exports.
Germany is one of Kyiv's biggest backers: by June 30, 2026, Berlin had provided or earmarked about 57.6 billion euros in military assistance and more than 43.3 billion euros in civilian support since the full-scale invasion, according to the German Finance Ministry, with about 11.5 billion euros in the 2026 budget. Merz added that Zelenskiy should also be present at December's G20 meeting in Miami if President Trump invites President Putin.
(Source: German Federal Chancellery)
Source: German Federal Chancellery
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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