Czech PM: German Chancellor Must Lead EU Negotiations for Ukraine

Moscow (ANTARA) - Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis told reporters that negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine on behalf of the European Union (EU) should be led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This statement was made shortly before his departure for the EU and Western Balkans Summit on Thursday.

“To me, it is clear that it is precisely German Chancellor Merz who should lead the diplomatic mission to end the conflict in Ukraine, based on a mandate from the EU Council and the European Commission,” Babis stated, as reported by the CTK news agency.

“The continuation of this conflict will not benefit anyone, and US President Donald Trump is now focusing on the Middle East and addressing the issues regarding the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz,” Babis added.

On 21 May, the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported that Merz has proposed expanding the mutual defence obligations outlined in the EU Treaty to Ukraine, which would effectively grant the nation ‘associate member’ status within the bloc.