Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever will hold talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Belgium expresses concerns about legal aspects and potential risks for its taxpayers.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz canceled a trip to Oslo to persuade Belgium to support a €165 billion "reparation loan" to Ukraine. The loan is proposed to be secured by frozen Russian state assets located in Belgium.
French President Emmanuel Macron will make his fourth state visit to China this week. Europe is seeking to strike a balance between economic and security threats from Beijing and its dependence on the world's second-largest economy.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed support for close relations with Poland, emphasizing European unity and a common stand against threats from Russia. Deeper cooperation in defense was discussed, including the protection of NATO's eastern flank and plans to sign a new defense agreement in 2026.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's trip to Moscow on November 28. Merz recalled that after Orban's previous visit to the Kremlin in July 2024, Russia intensified airstrikes on Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Ukraine will need strong armed forces and security guarantees after any peace agreement with Russia. He emphasized that Kyiv should not be forced to cede territory, and the most important guarantee is a well-equipped Ukrainian army.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will try to persuade US President Donald Trump to invite the Republic of South Africa to the G20 summit in Miami. Trump previously stated that South Africa would not be invited due to the persecution of the white population and the murders of Afrikaners.
US President Donald Trump will host the G20 at his golf resort in Miami next year, personally determining the guest list. He will not invite South Africa, which chairs the G20 this year and has incurred his wrath.
Germany is developing and implementing a secret 1,200-page "Operational Plan Germany" (OPLAN DEU) in case of war with Russia, which provides for the transfer of up to 800,000 NATO troops to the front line. The plan details logistics and defense, and also brings back a Cold War mentality, taking into account modern threats and infrastructure problems.
Germany has announced winter aid to Ukraine amounting to 170 million euros, as well as increased military support. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that the total amount of German aid to Ukraine has reached 11.5 billion euros.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the continuation of communication with the American side regarding a potential peace agreement. He also discussed the development of the situation and coordinated further steps with German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Donald Trump expressed readiness for a jointly developed peace plan for Ukraine. The talks in Geneva have concluded, but a breakthrough is not expected this week, adds the German leader.
German Chancellor Merz stated that the path to ending the war in Ukraine would be long, despite some progress in negotiations in Geneva. He emphasized the need for coordinated European action and Russia's participation in real negotiations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opposed Russia's return to the G8, as envisioned in the US "peace plan" for Ukraine. He stated that no one in the G7, except the United States, wants Russia to return.
German Chancellor Merz expressed skepticism about the approval of the US peace plan by Thursday due to disagreements. He also proposed his own abbreviated plan for ending the war in Ukraine, the details of which have not been disclosed.
Immediately after the opening of the G20 summit, the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany met to discuss US President Donald Trump's plan for Ukraine. Other leaders from Europe, Australia, Canada, and Japan also joined the meeting, working on adapting the American plan.
European leaders are trying to buy time to develop a new ceasefire framework with Russia after the administration of US President Donald Trump set a deadline of November 27. They aim to rewrite much of the proposed plan, presenting it as constructive updates.
The Office of the President of Ukraine announced consultations on ending the war after the President approved the delegation's composition. This comes against the backdrop of a 28-point US peace plan, which envisages territorial concessions and a threat to cease arms supplies to Ukraine.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the American proposal for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. The leaders emphasized the importance of supporting negotiation processes and the desire to achieve a just peace.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Donald Trump held a 15-minute conversation. They discussed the American peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine, but details were not disclosed.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine may face a difficult choice: to lose dignity or risk losing a key partner. He emphasized that his answer was given on May 20, 2019, when he pledged to defend Ukraine's sovereignty and independence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with the leaders of France, Britain, and Germany regarding the American peace plan. The parties coordinated further steps and agreed on joint work of the teams.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They reaffirmed their full support for Ukraine and discussed US efforts to end the war, emphasizing the need for European partners' approval for any peace agreement.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz canceled a series of meetings on Friday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. The talks concern the situation in Ukraine, including Trump's 28-point plan.
The German Chancellor, the Presidents of France, and the Prime Minister of Great Britain will hold an urgent conversation with Zelenskyy. They will discuss the US and Russian plan to end the war. A meeting is also expected on the sidelines of the G20 in South Africa.
Germany is urging the European Union to reach an agreement with the United Kingdom on access to the EU defense fund by the end of the month. This would allow the UK to participate in the €150 billion fund designed to strengthen European defense.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the provision of long-range missile systems to Ukraine, without specifying details. He emphasized that Germany and its partners would equip the Ukrainian army with the necessary systems, including potential production in Ukraine.
The German Chancellor's Cabinet has approved a law allowing the Bundeswehr to shoot down unknown drones suspected of spying on military bases and industrial facilities. The military will be able to use force against UAVs at the request of local police, using weapons or jammers.
On Tuesday, November 18, a trilateral meeting will take place in Berlin between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The leaders will meet for dinner after the summit on Europe's digital sovereignty, in which Macron will participate.
Friedrich Merz faces a decline in popularity, with only 16% of Germans supporting him as a candidate. Economic forecasts are falling, and his coalition is paralyzed by internal conflicts.
