Given that U.S.‑led talks to end the Ukraine war have remained unsuccessful-now entering its fifth year-Members of the SPD are calling for a European initiative.
Former parliamentary group chair Rolf Mützenich insists that Europe must play its own role in negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. “When the United States finally reveals its plans for Ukraine’s future, everyone should understand that an independent European voice is indispensable in any peace talks” he said, as reported by “Spiegel”.
Mützenich criticises the fact that, in August, the country’s key European leaders, including German EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU), gathered “like supplicants before Donald Trump’s desk” and that such a scene must not repeat.
Europe is already bearing the lion’s share of financial aid to Ukraine for both military and civilian support. “The need for a European role in shaping a post‑war order is all the more urgent and necessary” Mützenich added. “That also means appointing a European negotiator”. He argues that Europe should have taken this path long before-without neglecting its responsibility in Ukraine’s fight for survival.