Follow-up: Berlin Says Abu Dhabi Understanding Will Be Put to Putin, and a Merz Call May Follow
German federal government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius told the regular press conference in Berlin on November 11 that, after the two-day Abu Dhabi talks of November 10-11, the parties had reached an understanding on the broad outlines of a settlement, that this understanding would now be shared with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that, on that basis, talks between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Putin "may ensue". He gave no date or format for any call.
Kornelius clarified that the Abu Dhabi understanding was reached between European, U.S. and Ukrainian officials, not with Russia, and that it would now be brought to Putin and shape fresh talks. Asked whether Merz was ready to speak with Putin, he said talks may ensue; no call has been scheduled.
Merz himself, in Dublin on November 12, welcomed what he called positive signals from Abu Dhabi and said Putin should accept joint talks with Ukraine, Europeans and Americans at the table. Merz has previously said a German chancellor will sooner or later have to talk to Putin, and has not ruled out a meeting on the sidelines of the December G20 summit.
Related: Merz says a German chancellor must eventually talk to Putin
(Source: Reuters)
Source: Reuters
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：德国总理默茨与特朗普总统2025年6月在白宫椭圆形办公室会晤（资料图）。公共领域，白宫，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: German Chancellor Merz with President Trump at the White House in June 2025 (file photo). Public domain, The White House, via Wikimedia Commons.
