Merz rejects Ukraine's capitulation and warns of Russian hybrid threats
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Ukraine's capitulation, including unconditional surrender, was not an option and pledged continued German support to help end the war as quickly as possible. He said Germany and other European countries remain ready for negotiations, while describing Russian disinformation and hybrid attacks as major security threats. Merz also said the Oslo talks involving Volodymyr Zelensky, Steve Witkoff and European leaders had produced some progress.
Key points
- Friedrich Merz said on 21 October that Ukraine's capitulation, including unconditional capitulation, was not an option.
- Germany supports Ukraine to end the war as quickly as possible, rather than prolong it, Merz said.
- He linked Germany's continued substantial assistance to Ukraine with Germany's own security interests.
- Germany and other European countries remain ready to negotiate at any time, Merz said.
- The Oslo talks on 20 October addressed ending the war, security guarantees, territorial issues and sanctions.
- Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia after the Oslo meeting to continue negotiations.
- Merz described Russian disinformation, sabotage, cyberattacks, drone use and attacks on communications systems as ongoing security threats.
Why it matters
Merz's comments reaffirm Germany's support for Ukraine while ruling out a settlement involving Ukrainian capitulation. They also connect military and financial assistance to Germany's broader European security interests and highlight the impact of Russian hybrid operations beyond the battlefield. His assessment of the Oslo talks adds an indication of diplomatic progress amid Ukrainian criticism of US pressure and delays in Patriot interceptor deliveries.
What happened
On 21 October, at the Berlin Global Dialogue forum, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Ukraine's capitulation was unacceptable and that Germany's support was intended to help end the war as quickly as possible. He described assistance as a matter of Germany's own security and said Germany and other European countries were ready for negotiations at any time. Merz also accused Russia of attacking the political order established after the Cold War and warned that disinformation, sabotage, cyberattacks, drone use and attacks on communications systems were daily threats to Germany and Europe. Referring to the previous evening's meeting in Oslo, he said there had been some progress in discussions involving Zelensky and European representatives.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasizes Merz's rejection of Ukraine's capitulation and Germany's continued support. It also highlights Ukrainian concerns that Washington was pressuring Kyiv toward capitulation and delaying deliveries of Patriot interceptor missiles, despite Ukraine having paid for part of the weapons under the PURL programme.
How international sources describe it
International coverage presents Merz's position as combining support for Ukraine and readiness for negotiations with a broader warning that Russian disinformation and hybrid attacks threaten European security and political stability.
Background
On 20 October, Volodymyr Zelensky met with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb participating. The talks covered ways to end the war, security guarantees for Ukraine, territorial questions and sanctions. Witkoff then travelled to Russia to continue negotiations. Zelensky said the United States was supplying about 12 Patriot interceptor missiles per month and delaying further deliveries, while Kaja Kallas said American negotiators had sought to push Ukraine toward capitulation on Vladimir Putin's terms.