German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described renewed efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine as "the first 200 meters" of a 10-kilometer journey.

"Yes, we have taken the first steps. But to put it figuratively, we are 10 kilometers away and have covered perhaps the first 200 meters, no more. But in any case, we are moving in the right direction," Merz said at the congress of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) congress.

US President Donald Trump has stepped up his efforts to reach a peace agreement that would end Russia's war against Ukraine, after unsuccessful attempts several months earlier, the Kiev Independent reported.

The US head of state met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, and a few days later met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders at the White House.

Merz noted that Russia's position continues to hinder the achievement of a peace agreement, describing the process as a "difficult" task.

"The leadership of Germany and the European Union has not yet put in more diplomatic effort than it has in the last three weeks," Merz said, emphasizing that progress had been made previously.

"Let no one say today that we are only discussing arms deliveries," he added, while Ukraine and its allies are working on security guarantees.

On August 19, Merz indicated that Zelensky and Putin could meet within the next two weeks.

"The US president spoke with the Russian president and agreed that a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president will take place within the next two weeks," the chancellor explained.

Trump said he plans to host a bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Putin, followed by a trilateral meeting between the three leaders if the negotiations go well.

On August 18, Zelensky said he would discuss the territory directly with Putin in possible peace talks, as Ukraine calls for unconditional negotiations. | BGNES