Merz: Russia-Ukraine war will likely continue for months

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron held a joint press conference following the Franco-German Council of Ministers meeting in Toulon, France.

Providing information on the issues decided at the meeting, President Macron stated that they also evaluated global issues, primarily the Russia-Ukraine war.

Macron said, "Supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and ensuring a just and sustainable peace for Ukraine was one of the important items on our agenda. Especially considering that Russian attacks have intensified further, there is a huge gap between Russian President Vladimir Putin's official statements and the realities on the ground. This shows how insincere he is. We need to make decisions in consultation with the US to bring Russia to the negotiating table and continue to support Ukraine."

"THERE CAN BE NO NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT UKRAINE WITHOUT UKRAINE"

Emphasizing that Ukraine needs Europe's support, Macron stated, "This support can take different forms. The first is political support. Because there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine."

Macron stated that they would determine decisions regarding military support, including air defense support to be provided to Ukraine, following their meetings with Zelenskyy in the coming days.

"PUTIN IS IGNORING TRUMP"

Referring to the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska and the potential Putin-Zelenskyy meeting discussed during the European leaders' visit to the US last week, Macron said, "There is an impression that President Putin is ignoring President Trump, and this cannot go unanswered. This must be reacted to. Therefore, we will discuss this issue with President Trump in the coming days."

Regarding a potential meeting that could take place between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy, Macron said, "I also hope that a trilateral meeting will take place. If we do not see this happening, we will have to implement both primary and secondary consequences for these promises not being kept."

"LASTING PEACE CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED ON THE BASIS OF A TWO-STATE SOLUTION"

The French leader stated that they also addressed developments in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of Israel stopping its attacks in the Gaza Strip and taking the necessary steps for humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians, saying, "The humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip is unacceptable. A lasting peace between Palestinians and Israel can only be achieved on the basis of a two-state solution. I would like to emphasize that Chancellor Merz has made a courageous decision to stop the export of weapons to Israel that could be used in Gaza."

"THIS WAR WILL LIKELY LAST FOR MONTHS"

German Chancellor Merz, in his statement regarding the Russia-Ukraine war and the potential Putin-Zelenskyy meeting, said, "It is clearly seen that President Putin has no intention of meeting with President Zelenskyy and is setting unacceptable preconditions. Frankly, this did not surprise me because it is part of this Russian President's strategy. Therefore, we will discuss how to proceed next week. As Europeans and the US government, we will come together and carefully discuss the next steps."

Merz said, "I am not kidding myself about this. This war will likely last for months, and we must be prepared for that. We are ready for this in close cooperation with our European partners and the US. We will not let Ukraine down. Ukraine is not only fighting for itself, but also for the political freedom of the European continent. We will stand by Ukraine for our own interests as well."

A declaration was also published regarding the decisions taken at the Franco-German Council of Ministers chaired by Macron and Merz. The declaration stated that France and Germany believe that the only way for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace and security, and to ensure peace and security for everyone in the region, is a two-state solution. The declaration stated, "The war must end now. We call for an immediate ceasefire and for humanitarian aid carried out by the United Nations (UN) and humanitarian organizations to reach the entirety of Gaza immediately and without obstruction. France and Germany condemn attempts to annex and reoccupy parts of Palestinian territory, particularly the increase in the construction of new settlements through the 'E1' project. We are shocked by the unbearable human deaths in the Gaza Strip, the obstruction of humanitarian aid, and the famine resulting from the expansion of Israel's attacks in the Gaza Strip. We call on the Israeli authorities to lift all restrictions."

The declaration also called on Israel to ensure safe access for journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip.