Germany says 'no' to peace in Ukraine? 'Trump's solution won't be reached' - Merz amid Geneva talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the United States’ 28-point peace proposal for Ukraine is unlikely to reach a workable agreement by President Donald Trump’s deadline. Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Merz said negotiators in Geneva remain “very far” from consensus and that he remains sceptical a solution acceptable to Kyiv can be finalised within days. Merz confirmed he has tabled an alternative proposal—short of a full settlement—that is now under discussion in Geneva as officials search for a first step if the full 28-point package proves too ambitious for the current timeline. He also highlighted Germany’s outreach to China, calling Beijing “perhaps the most influential country” capable of pressing Russia toward ending the war, and said his upcoming visit to China early next year will carry “high expectations.”