Mertz, speaking of a full -scale Russian aggression against Ukraine, expressed the opinion that “this war may last many more months.”
According to the German Chancellor, the Western allies in any case should be prepared for this.
Mertz continued that both countries were prepared for this – in close coordination with European partners, the USA, as well as with the coalition of those who wish.
On the eve of August 28, Mertz said that there would obviously would not be meetings between the head of the Ukrainian state Vladimir Zelensky and illegitimate Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Context
On August 18, the US President Donald Trump and European leaders, among whom was Zelensky, was held in Washington. They talked about guarantees of security and the upcoming meeting of Zelensky with Putin, as well as their trilateral meeting with Trump. On the same day, the US president called Putin on the phone, and later stated that He began the organization of the meeting between him and Zelensky. However, the Kremlin began to put forward conditions.
The White House was repeated on August 19 that Putin agreed to a bilateral meeting, but after that the Russian Foreign Ministry once again said that negotiations were at the highest level “You need to carefully prepare.”
On August 25, Trump threatened that “very serious consequences” may occur if Russia does not sit at the negotiating table, and promised to “intervene” if there is no progress in two weeks.
World media suggest that Putin will delay, dodge or refuse negotiations with Zelensky and Trump.
