Merz warns that war in Ukraine could last “for months entire”

Speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron in France, Merz said he doesn't have <x0-cylusions” for the possibility of a quick end of the war and pledged that “ne will not abandon Ukraine”.

Merz said it was not “surprising” by the Kremlin's continuing delays over American President Donald Trump's attempt to organise direct talks between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Voldymyr Zelensky.

It is part of the strategy of this Russian president”, he said.

It became clear to me earlier this week that President Putin is not ready to meet with President Zelensky and has set the preliminary conditions that are completely unacceptable”, he added.

The German Chancellor also said keeping Ukraine's allies united in the so-called “will co-ordination” is “one of our most urgent tasks”.

President Trump has held a summit with Putin in Alaska on 15 August. Later, he has waited at the White House for Zelensky and European leaders talks. The American leader has decided a two - week deadline to see how the parties will behave, after which he will decide how he will act. / REL