Berlin: real progress on a solution for Ukraine?
After two days of talks aimed at finding a peaceful solution for Ukraine, the participants at the meeting in Berlin were optimistic: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke of a "real chance" for peace, saying that the US had offered "considerable legal and material guarantees". And Ukraine's European allies proposed a "multinational force" to secure peace with Russia.
Just a question of territory now
In a Telegram post reprinted by Echo, political scientist Vladimir Pastukhov sees the relinquishing of territories as a politically overrated obstacle to resolving the war:
“These territories are now playing the role of the 'victory cup' presented to the 'winner'. Unfortunately, Kyiv has accepted these rules of the game and also views the fulfillment of Moscow's territorial claims as an almost sacred symbolic gesture, equating the surrender of territories with capitulation. ... Zelensky can now only accept a compromise on territorial matters if he is presented with an offer 'that cannot be refused'. Apparently, this is currently being discussed in Berlin.”
The chancellor goes all in
Corriere della Sera heaps praise on Friedrich Merz:
“In a week that will redefine the European order – for better or for worse – that will either give an answer to Trump or confirm Europe's insignificance in the Great Game, the chancellor is showing courage. To use a term from poker, he has gone 'all in'. He has staked everything on the success of three agreements: the peace negotiations, the use of Russian assets, and the Mercosur agreement, which is intended to create a common market with Latin America and its 700 million inhabitants (with a nod to Trump's protectionism). That would be a resounding success: a top German politician who can make a difference. And thus fill a position that has remained vacant in recent years.”
No deal without Russia
The Spectator cautions against over-optimism:
“Hosting this round of shuttle diplomacy can be notched up as a triumphant moment for Merz, who is emerging as the figurehead in Europe's efforts to remain relevant to the discussion around Ukraine's future and security on the continent. Nonetheless, none of this guarantees that anything discussed over the past days and coming hours will be acceptable to the Kremlin or, in the grand scheme of things, move the conflict any closer to a conclusion. ... The Russia problem, regardless of the outcome of talks in Berlin, shows no signs of going away any time soon.”
Avoid return to old energy dependencies
According to media reports, Donald Trump's peace plan for Ukraine also includes the resumption of Russian oil and gas supplies to Europe. News.bg is concerned:
“It is crucial for the EU that the peace agreement does not restore old energy dependencies and permanently legitimise Russia's territorial gains. ... The discrepancy between the American and European visions of the post-war security architecture will determine not only the fate of the current peace process, but also the strategic balance in Europe for decades to come.”
Trump just wants a vic pic
A just peace deal is not currently possible, political analyst Kateryna Roshuk insists on Facebook:
“An adequate peace deal on which the US and Ukraine work and Russia pretends to work is not possible because all three want different things. Trump wants a photo of Zelensky and Putin shaking hands in the Oval Office after signing an agreement to end the war. The 'end of the ninth or tenth war' would pave the way in Trump's mind to Russian money and the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump doesn't care who signs what or what the fallout might be. ... Russia believes it has military successes on the front and the backing of the US (at least Trump is not interfering). Ukraine just wants to survive. ”
The continent needs a just peace
An unjust peace deal would be dangerous for Europe, Aamulehti warns:
“The United States and Russia in particular will have to make major concessions if the goal is to ensure that potential territorial concessions are off the table and that Ukraine can be granted watertight security guarantees. A scenario like this is still a pie in the sky. Europe is insisting that peace must be based on just and sustainable conditions. ... If Ukraine is forced into an unjust peace deal, the Russian President Putin will chalk it up as a victory. And that would constitute a huge risk for Europe's security.”
Back at the table at least
The Frankfurter Rundschau expects minor progress at most:
“Germany and the other EU states might be able to talk the US out of using frozen Russian assets for its own economic interests in Ukraine. ... They might even be able to get the US negotiators to see that Putin has imperialist ambitions. He does not think economically, which is why the American strategy of trying to lure him into making concessions with lucrative deals is not working. ... Kyiv's European allies can claim their first success. They are back at the table with Washington after being shut out of the talks between the US and Russia on Ukraine's future. This is good for self-confidence and helps boost Europe's battered image.”
Italy must pick a side
Meloni must stop sitting on the fence, demands former EU commissioner Paolo Gentiloni in La Repubblica:
“Italy, which was shut out of the meeting of the three leaders in London, needs to step up and make its intentions clear. ... But what will we say in Berlin? So far, the prime minister's line has been: we are working to promote harmony between Europe and the United States, seeking to reconcile our ideological affinity with Trump and our European identity. But she is obviously backing herself into a corner with this position. The situation could force Italy to take sides. Very soon.”