Politics · Germany · 3 hrs ago
Mützenich urges Europe to prepare for talks with Russia
Rolf Mützenich called for a stronger European effort to help end the war in Ukraine.
Mützenich, a former leader of Germany’s SPD parliamentary group, said the war will not be decided only on the battlefield.
He said Russian President Vladimir Putin appears unwilling to negotiate and that there is no real opening for diplomacy right now.
Mützenich backed a recent meeting between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, saying it could lay the groundwork for a European initiative on talks.
He also said Europe needs to invest more in its security and military capabilities, while making sure defence spending is used effectively.
He warned against cuts to humanitarian aid, development work and climate protection, arguing that security policy should also address the causes of crises and wars.
Rolf Mützenich has urged European countries to prepare for talks with Russia aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
The former leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party parliamentary group said the war would not be decided on the battlefield alone.
He acknowledged that Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to have little readiness to negotiate and that there was currently no real opening for diplomacy.
Mützenich called a meeting between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov “right and brave.”
He said Europe should coordinate more on defence spending and avoid cuts to humanitarian aid, development cooperation and climate protection.
- Who
- Rolf Mützenich, a former leader of Germany’s Social Democratic Party parliamentary group, urged European countries to prepare for talks.
- What
- He called for a stronger European effort to help end the war in Ukraine and for Europe to be ready for talks with Russia.
- When
- The article was published on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Mützenich said the war would not be decided on the battlefield alone and that Europe should be present with an independent voice.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Speaker
- Rolf Mützenich
- Russian president
- Vladimir Putin
- German foreign minister
- Johann Wadephul
- Russian foreign minister
- Sergei Lavrov
- Article publication date
- October 15, 2026
What people are saying
It is unrealistic to believe that the war will be decided on the battlefield alone. It is all the more important to be present with an independent European voice.
At the moment, there is probably no real window for diplomacy.
right and brave