Russia Rejects Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Security Demands, Germany Warns Independence Sacrifice Unacceptable

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin currently has no incentive to end the war with Ukraine, as continuing the conflict benefits Moscow by allowing territorial gains. Merz advocates for economic measures, such as tariffs on countries trading with Russia, to exhaust Russia's war economy and pressure it towards peace. He also stressed that ending the war at the cost of Ukraine's independence is unacceptable, warning that Ukraine's capitulation would threaten the security of neighboring countries, including Germany. The Kremlin dismissed suggestions for peace talks in Geneva, criticizing Merz's harsh characterization of Putin and rejecting the idea of negotiations under such conditions. Meanwhile, European Commissioner Marta Kos affirmed that Ukraine's EU membership process will not be used as a bargaining chip in peace negotiations, underscoring the EU's commitment to enlargement as a key element of European security. Russian President Putin stated that any resolution must not compromise Moscow's security interests, maintaining Russia's core concerns in the conflict.