Germany signals readiness for talks with Moscow, possible Merz-Putin meeting

The German government has signaled its readiness for contacts with Moscow, with a cabinet spokesperson stating that a meeting between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Russian President Vladimir Putin is possible. Following negotiations on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, European countries and the US reached a mutual understanding on key principles for future settlement discussions. These agreements could form the basis for potential contacts between Merz and Putin, though Moscow has not yet participated in their coordination. The agreed principles concern peace conditions in Ukraine and European and transatlantic security. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are tasked with conveying the agreements to Russia, and implementation would require consent from all NATO member states. Merz previously expressed willingness to speak with Putin at the G20 summit in Miami on December 14-15.