Merz and E3 Plan Russia Engagement as Ukraine EU Talks Open
Germany joined France and the UK in a coordinated initiative to engage Russia in Ukraine peace talks, Bloomberg reported June 4; Merz is expected to speak with Starmer and Macron in coming days, with Zelensky's consent required at every step. The initiative coincides with the formal opening of EU accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova, a milestone Berlin has championed. All 32 NATO ambassadors were simultaneously in Kyiv, including Germany's, for talks on Patriot supplies and the July Ankara summit.
Germany, France, and the UK are coordinating on plans to engage Russia in peace negotiations on Ukraine, Bloomberg reported June 4, citing people familiar with the matter. The E3 initiative comes as US-led talks have stalled and all three governments see a shift in battlefield momentum favouring Ukraine. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to speak with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Macron in the coming days; the three have agreed that Kyiv's consent is required at every step and no strategy will advance without Zelensky's sign-off. Zelensky himself confirmed the coordination in a call with Starmer on Wednesday, saying Europe 'needs its own voice, its own position, and its own contribution to all diplomatic efforts.'
The E3 initiative faces internal resistance. Some officials within the three governments argue Putin still harbours maximalist demands -- including Ukrainian cession of unoccupied territory -- and has given no sign of readiness for genuine compromise. Those voices call for more weapons and tighter sanctions rather than outreach, and stress the E3 should not be petitioning Moscow but coordinating with Washington to bring Russia to the table from a position of strength.
June 4 also marked the formal opening of EU accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova -- a milestone Berlin has actively supported and which Merz cited in April during government consultations with Zelensky, the first such bilateral consultations in more than 20 years. Germany's ambassador was among the 32 NATO representatives who travelled to Kyiv with Secretary General Rutte for a NATO-Ukraine Council session focused on Patriot systems, the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, and the July Ankara summit agenda.
Germany has budgeted approximately 108 billion euros for defence in 2026, the highest in the country's postwar history, and the Merz government has committed to comprehensive support for Ukraine in armaments and air-defence co-production as part of the April strategic partnership agreed with Kyiv.