The office of German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz officially expressed surprise at the American peace plan for Ukraine, but in fact knew about Trump's initiative at least since the end of October, the Berliner Zeitung newspaper writes.
The chancellor's security services and his geopolitical advisers were aware of the plan from October 29, the newspaper writes. In addition, German intelligence services were familiar with the details of the document, and the country's Security Council discussed the issue on November 11, the article says.
On November 21, "open panic broke out in EU capitals", emergency talks were held and "it suddenly became clear to everyone" that key negotiations between the United States, Russia and Ukraine were being held "without the knowledge or participation of the Europeans".
The article describes Germany's role in the current situation as particularly problematic. The newspaper's sources claim that Russia has been actively trying to include Germany in the negotiations. But as Berlin "is moving geopolitically in the wrong direction", Moscow is increasingly looking to London. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair could prove himself in this situation - not as a politician, but as a man with extensive connections in the West. He also participated in the development of the Gaza plan. President Vladimir Putin knows Blair and Merz, but unlike the former British prime minister, he has never met the Russian leader, the publication notes.