Merz: Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting Unlikely Amid Continued Russian Strikes

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has indicated that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is unlikely to occur. Speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at Fort de Brégançon, Merz remarked, "Unlike what had been agreed between President Trump and President Putin last week, when we were together in Washington, it is obviously not going to come to a meeting between President Zelenskyy and President Putin."

This statement follows a significant Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv, which resulted in at least 21 fatalities, including four children, and damaged the European Union delegation and British Council buildings.

The attack has drawn condemnation from European leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Russia to cease targeting civilian infrastructure and engage in peace negotiations.

Despite these developments, the Kremlin has expressed continued interest in negotiations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia remains interested in continuing negotiations, even as Russian forces conduct strikes on Ukraine's military infrastructure.

The situation underscores the challenges in facilitating direct talks between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders amid ongoing hostilities.