German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reaffirmed that peace in Ukraine must be achieved with full respect for Kyiv’s sovereignty, rejecting any settlement that strips Ukraine of its right to determine its future.

“I believe we all agree that Russia’s war against Ukraine must end as soon as possible. Hundreds of thousands have been killed or wounded,” Scholz said at the Munich Security Conference on February 15. “However, peace can only be achieved if Ukraine’s sovereignty is ensured. A dictated peace will never have our support.”

Rejecting a Divided Europe

Scholz also dismissed “any solution that leads to a separation of Europe’s security from the United States,” warning that such an outcome would only benefit Russia.

“We Europeans will present this position firmly and in unity in the upcoming negotiations,” he stated. Scholz emphasized that for a lasting peace, Ukraine’s future military strength must be secured with the support of its allies.

“There will be responsibilities in the post-war period for Europe, the United States, and Ukraine’s international partners and friends. Any security guarantees we offer should be built on this foundation,” he added.

Scholz’s remarks come a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, during which Zelensky stressed Ukraine’s demand for “security guarantees.”

Growing Concerns Over Peace Talks

The war, which began in February 2022, has claimed nearly 13,000 civilian lives, according to the United Nations, along with hundreds of thousands of casualties among soldiers on both sides.

Recent diplomatic efforts, including phone calls between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, have raised hopes for a potential peace deal. Trump and Putin reportedly agreed to “immediate negotiations” to end the war, while Zelensky signaled “willingness to engage in group-level talks” to explore a path to peace.

However, Trump’s approach has sparked concerns that Kyiv may face intense pressure to make painful concessions. At a White House press conference on February 12, Trump rejected Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations and backed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s statement that Ukraine “is unlikely to regain its pre-2014 borders.”

On February 14, Zelensky reiterated that he would only engage in direct talks with Putin after Ukraine had aligned its position with the U.S. and Europe on the terms for ending the war.

(Source: AFP)