Friedrich Merz, the newly inaugurated Chancellor of Germany, expressed optimism on Wednesday about the possibility of a permanent ceasefire in Ukraine in the near future. However, he refrained from making any specific promises regarding Ukraine’s security.

Merz shared his hopes with reporters in Paris, stating that he anticipates a ceasefire could be established beyond the weekend. This could potentially pave the way for peace negotiations leading to an agreement. He emphasized that Germany can only provide details on security guarantees once an agreement is in place, due to the current uncertainty of the conditions.

In addition, Merz shared his plans to visit Ukraine in the upcoming weeks. His visit is expected to provide more insight into the situation on the ground, which could influence Germany’s stance on the issue. As of now, Merz’s comments indicate a cautious but hopeful approach to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.