Negotiations in Istanbul: Merz told about the "uncomfortable position" of Putin and the imposition of sanctions

Merz reported that Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a "great gesture" for his part when he flew to Turkey to participate in the negotiations to end the war. The Ukrainian president came to Istanbul, despite the fact that neither the leader of the hostile country Vladimir Putin or US President Donald Trump appeared there, who considered the opportunity the day before. "The fact that President Zelensky went to Istanbul, despite this, is a huge gesture," Merz said.

Instead, ignoring the negotiations in Istanbul by Putin, the German Chancellor criticized: he wrote that he had put himself "in an uncomfortable position. " "Putin did not appear - and that put him in an uncomfortable position," Merz said. In addition to commenting on the actions of Ukrainian and Russian leaders, Friedrich Merz also mentioned in his post sanctions that are currently being prepared in Europe in response to the absence of ceasefire from the Kremlin.

According to the German Chancellor, he is already ready. "A new sanctions package is ready. We will approve it in Brussels on Tuesday," Merz announced. New sanctions against the Kremlin should be imposed in the coming days - this news was also confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron on May 14. However, he also called the condition that sanctions would be introduced if Russia does not agree to the ceasefire.

The continuation of negotiations in Istanbul, which started on May 15, will take place the next day, May 16. On the evening of May 15, the head of the Russian delegation in negotiations with Ukraine Volodymyr Medinsky reported that in the morning on May 16, at 10:00, the Russian side will expect a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation. The Kremlin politician also stated that Russia is "ready to work".