Berlin: German Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul on Monday expressed a sense of "uncertainty" surrounding the ongoing closed-door negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. These discussions, involving key stakeholders, are focused on silencing the conflict and reaching a conciliation with Russia.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Dr. Wadephul, in a press statement, indicated that a resolution to the crisis was unlikely before the weekend. He emphasized the importance of the ongoing talks, noting that while significant issues are being addressed, it remains premature to predict their outcome before week's end.
Dr. Wadephul also expressed skepticism about Russian President Vladimir Putin's commitment to ending the war, citing the absence of an agreed cease-fire. While achieving a cease-fire is crucial, Dr. Wadephul stressed the necessity of establishing a sustainable and viable long-term solution to the conflict.
In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was scheduled to meet with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Berlin later today. The discussions with the American representatives are set to be followed by further talks with European leaders, including Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The talks in Berlin commenced on Sunday under the leadership of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The agenda includes revisiting the "Trump plan," a framework initially influenced by Russian demands, as part of the discussions between President Zelensky and the American envoys.
The negotiations are expected to continue later on Monday, culminating in a meeting at the chancellery with various European leaders, among them Starmer and Macron.