Ukraine has the sovereign right to make its own decisions regarding its territory, including as part of any potential peace settlement to end Russian aggression, and this principle remains the German federal government's unchanged position.
Steffen Meyer, First Deputy Spokesperson for the German Federal Government, made the statement during a government press conference in Berlin.
"Ukraine makes sovereign decisions regarding its own territory," Meyer said when asked whether the German government considered territorial concessions by Ukraine a possible means of achieving peace.
The German government representative was also asked to comment on a recent statement by US President Donald Trump, who suggested that Ukraine's territorial boundaries would look different after the war. Meyer declined to comment on the American president's public remarks, instead emphasising Ukraine's right to determine its own position.
"But it is clear — and we have always stressed this — that Ukraine must ultimately decide for itself on matters concerning its territory. That is absolutely clear, including in these negotiations," he said.
Asked whether Berlin could, in principle, envisage Ukraine relinquishing territory entirely, partially or temporarily in exchange for peace, Meyer said he did not intend to speculate on the matter.
The First Deputy Government Spokesperson also stressed the importance of European partners participating in the peace process concerning Ukraine. According to Meyer, Germany remains in close coordination with other European countries, particularly France and the United Kingdom, as well as partners within a broader European framework.
He noted that Berlin considers it essential for European partners to coordinate their positions not only on ending hostilities but also on providing long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
"As already mentioned, this concerns a ceasefire, but also security guarantees. Ultimately, these are necessary conditions for making any progress at all," Meyer emphasised.
