During ongoing discussions regarding the US plan to end Russia’s war of aggression, the Federal Government’s National Security Council met on Saturday. This committee is chaired by the Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) “discussed recent developments in relation to the war against Ukraine,” said government spokesman Stefan Kornelius.
Merz, which is on Saturday
G20 Summit took part in South Africa, informing other council members “of its discussions with European and international partners”. The National Security Council has “affirmed that Germany will continue to participate with great commitment in a just and lasting peace negotiation process for Ukraine,” Kornelius said.
High-level delegation travels to Switzerland
A few days ago, the US administration presented to the government in Kyiv a “28-point plan to end the war”, which largely accommodated Russia’s main demands. He also crossed several red lines Ukraine: He demanded concessions from Ukraine such as handing over large areas of eastern Ukraine to Russia, limiting troop numbers and not becoming a member of NATO. Negotiations between the US, Ukraine and their European allies are planned for Sunday in Switzerland. Ukraine’s negotiating team consists of nine top security officials, including Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Head of the Security Council Umerov. Russian representatives were also said to be taking part in the talks, but initially there was no confirmation from Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj rejected the current US plan on Friday and announced that he would present an alternative. Ukraine’s Western allies say the US plan requires “additional work.” Merz said that a deal could only be reached with the “full consent” of Ukraine.
The National Security Council responds to Russia
new Security Council Federal Government met for a “constitutive meeting” in early November. In this first meeting, the Council decided on an action plan to defend against “hybrid threats” – especially in response to the increasing number of hybrid threats from Russia.
In this new committee, questions regarding German security policy should be centralized in the Federal Chancellery and not left to the responsibility of various ministries and authorities. The permanent members of the Council are the Federal Chancellor and the Ministers of Finance, Defence, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Economy, Justice, Digitalization, Development and the Head of the Federal Chancellery. Depending on the topic, other ministers, Bundeswehr representatives and police and secret service heads may be asked to attend.
