Lead

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe is ready for negotiations with Russia on resolving the conflict in Ukraine, as reported by TASS, the Russian state news agency. “We are ready for talks,” he told reporters after the EU–West Balkans summit in Montenegro, adding that “it is absolutely natural that Europeans should sit at the negotiating table in this format.” Merz stressed that resolving the conflict is “in Europe’s legitimate interests” and assured that “the European side will not lack willingness to negotiate.” He said he would discuss his next steps in the E3 format – Germany, the United Kingdom and France – during a London meeting on June 7 with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Vladimir Zelensky. TASS reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier referenced former German Chancellor Gerhard u as a preferred candidate talks between the EU and Russia, and that Moscow has never been closed to negotiations.

Coverage comparison

TASS reported the story across three articles, each focusing on a different angle. One piece, dated June 6, quoted Merz directly on Europe’s readiness and his plans for E3 consultations in London. A second article, published the same day, centered on comments from Germany’s ex-top diplomat Sigmar Gabriel, who criticized the idea that Europe missed a chance to negotiate with Russia in 2021. A third report, from June 5, outlined Germany’s preparatory steps for talks, citing German government sources and the newspaper Die Zeit. Each report carries the same core news but with varied emphasis – one on the official statements, one on historical context, and one on the behind-the-scenes preparation.

Key claims

  • According to TASS, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe is ready for negotiations with Russia on the conflict in Ukraine. ["We are ready for talks," he told reporters.]
  • Merz plans to discuss next steps in the E3 format (Germany, UK, France) in London on June 7, the same TASS report says, with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Volodymyr Zelensky.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is his preferred negotiator for France and Russia, and that Moscow has never been closed to talks.
  • Sigmar Gabriel, who served as Germany’s top diplomat until 2018, argued that the chance to negotiate with Russia was missed in 2021, though the then-appointment Angela Merkel attempted to maintain a dialogue thread: she told Angela colleagues they should form a small group to negotiate with Putin, according to his interview with Bild.
  • Gabriel suggested Merkel and Finnish President Alexander Stubb as possible mediators and said the Europeans need to sit down and decide who gets the negotiating mandate.
  • A separate TASS report, citing German media, says that Germany has been actively preparing for negotiations with Russia for several weeks. German government sources say the “window for negotiations between the European side and Russia is gradually opening.” The format of possible contacts is being discussed, and Germany attaches key importance to the “Eurotroika” – Germany, France, and UK – with Italy and Poland currently involved in the discussions.

Perspectives

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz – Europe is ready for talks and will not lack willingness to negotiate.

Sigmar Gabriel – Europe missed its chance to negotiate with Russia in 2021, despite Merkel’s then-push for a dialogue, and should still try to get its foot back in the game, potentially with Merkel or Stubb as mediators.

Russian President Vladimir Putin – The preferred negotiator for Europe is former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, and Moscow remains open to talks.