Merz declared Europe's readiness for negotiations with Russia

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared Europe's readiness for negotiations with Russia on Ukraine. He said this on June 5 at a press conference following the EU–Western Balkans summit.

"We are ready for negotiations," Merz said, referring to his readiness for negotiations with Russia.

The politician also said that he would discuss this issue with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in the Izvestia studio at SPIEF 2026 on June 5 that the lack of dialogue between Russia and Europe was not Moscow's fault. Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that his country is ready for dialogue, although he does not trust the Europeans who seek to inflict a strategic defeat on it.

At the same time, Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser, who arrived at SPIEF 2026, criticized in an interview with Izvestia the position widespread in the West, according to which negotiations with Russia are possible only after certain requirements are met. He clarified that this approach makes contact impossible and should be abandoned in order to resume communication.