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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged that Ukraine will receive €70 billion in annual support from its partners and called on Russia to begin peace negotiations, saying the war has entered a new phase in which Moscow is failing to achieve its objectives, UATV English reports.
Speaking after the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris, Merz stressed that allied support for Ukraine would remain long-term and substantial.
“We will support Ukraine at the level of €70 billion every year,” the German chancellor said.
According to Merz, recent months have demonstrated that Ukraine is making tangible gains on the battlefield, while Russia has failed to secure meaningful territorial advances.
“This war has entered a new phase over the past few months. Ukraine is achieving real successes on the front. The Kremlin has no territorial gains, and more and more Russians are realizing that Russia will not achieve its goals in this war,” he said.
Merz reaffirmed that Western allies will continue increasing pressure on Moscow through sanctions while maintaining military and financial assistance to Kyiv.
“We will increase the pressure on Russia and continue helping Ukraine,” he said.
Addressing the Kremlin directly, the German chancellor added: “Our message to Russia is clear: it is time to come to the negotiating table.”
The remarks came after leaders of the Coalition of the Willing agreed to deepen military support for Ukraine and coordinate additional measures aimed at increasing pressure on Russia to end its full-scale invasion.
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