Dublin:German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed optimism regarding recent developments in Ukraine peace talks held in Abu Dhabi, suggesting they offer a potential path toward establishing a genuine peace order in Europe.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Merz highlighted the positive signals emerging from the discussions, which he believes could lead to a collaborative effort involving the United States to achieve peace. He made these remarks in Dublin ahead of a European Political Community summit.

The talks in Abu Dhabi were followed by a visit to Moscow by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Merz expressed hope that Russia would agree to a more inclusive dialogue format, involving Ukraine, Europe, and the US.

Merz emphasized the importance of including all relevant parties in the discussions and noted the existence of established formats within the European Union to determine EU representation in these talks. He mentioned the need for discretion in these deliberations, rather than holding public debates.

The German leader acknowledged an apparent shift in Russia's stance, recognizing the necessity of including Europe in discussions about its future. However, he cautioned that this willingness might not be enduring and stressed the ongoing challenges ahead.

Merz also underscored the importance of continued political and economic support for Ukraine, particularly as the region faces a challenging winter. He reiterated the collective responsibility of European nations to support Kyiv and announced that EU leaders would discuss further financial assistance during informal meetings in Dublin.

The Chancellor noted the urgency of addressing the funding gap for Ukraine in 2027 and planned discussions on the financial framework for the subsequent years. He expressed confidence in reaching a resolution by the end of the year.