Merz, Trump Discuss Ukraine Peace Talks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone about planned Ukraine negotiations scheduled for Abu Dhabi.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in International Relations
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump discussed planned Ukraine peace talks by phone. Ukrainian, Russian, and US representatives are scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi next week.
Why it matters
Berlin states that negotiations on Europe's security would not be productive without European involvement, and both governments agree the war in Ukraine must end with NATO partners on board. The talks signal continued diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
Germany and the US agree on four fundamental points, including that the war in Ukraine must end and NATO partners must be on board with any agreement. Two prior rounds of talks were held in Abu Dhabi before the February trilateral meeting in Geneva, and the outcome of the upcoming round remains unannounced.
The players
Friedrich Merz
Friedrich Merz is the Chancellor of Germany, leading the German government and its European diplomatic positions.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States, leading American foreign policy and the US delegation to the planned talks.
The details
Merz and Trump held a phone call discussing planned Ukraine peace negotiations, and the German government was informed about talks held by the American administration. Germany, together with its European partners, is closely involved in the Abu Dhabi negotiations.
Timeline
February 2026: Last trilateral Ukraine talks held in Geneva.
November 3, 2026: US midterm election held.
November 6, 2026: Merz-Trump call discussed in a Berlin government briefing.
Week of November 9, 2026: Trilateral Ukraine talks scheduled in Abu Dhabi.
Political Context
The upcoming Abu Dhabi round follows the trilateral format used at the February Geneva talks, which itself came after two earlier rounds held in Abu Dhabi. Germany's insistence on European involvement positions Berlin as a stakeholder in any settlement, even though the trilateral talks include only Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
The outcome of the Abu Dhabi talks could shape the timeline and terms of a potential end to the war in Ukraine, which affects European security and energy markets. Readers should watch for official statements following the meeting, since the source does not indicate what concrete decisions will emerge.
The takeaway
Diplomatic progress on Ukraine depends on European and NATO participation alongside US-led talks, not on bilateral agreements alone. The Abu Dhabi round will test whether the trilateral format can produce a durable framework.
What happens next
Trilateral Ukraine talks are scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi during the week of November 9, 2026.
Further reading
For broader background on how these negotiations fit into Europe's diplomatic landscape, explore International Relations.
