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Germany's Merz Anticipates Prolonged Ukraine War Due to Russia's Reluctance for Talks

Germany's Merz Anticipates Prolonged Ukraine War Due to Russia's Reluctance for Talks

Asharq Al-Awsat5 days ago

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that the war in Ukraine is expected to persist due to Russia's reluctance to enter negotiations.
"Wars typically end because of economic or military exhaustion on one side or on both sides and in this war, we are obviously still far from reaching that (situation)", Merz said at a joint press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Turku.
"So, we may have to prepare for a longer duration," he added.

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