Putin signals openness to talks with Merz — Berlin responds with skepticism

He made the statement at a press conference on June 18, according to Russian outlet TASS.

“If the Federal Chancellor wants to call and talk, I’ve said many times — we don’t refuse contact and are always open to it,” Putin said.

Two days later, on June 20, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius responded during a press briefing. According to Ukrinform, he said Berlin had “taken note” of Putin’s words but confirmed that “there is no direct contact.”

He also said the German government does not believe Putin is truly interested in serious negotiations.

“The German government is constantly and thoroughly assessing the situation in Ukraine,” Kornelius added. “We are in close talks with our allies about how to end Russia’s war of aggression. Of course, we want a political solution, but we don’t see the Russian president responding to these repeated calls.”

• On June 18, Vladimir Putin said he was ready to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the final stage of peace talks. However, he again questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian president. "I'm ready to meet with anyone, including Zelenskyy. If the Ukrainian state trusts someone to negotiate, that's fine, let it be Zelenskyy. That’s not the issue. The real issue is — who will sign the document?" Putin said.
• He has also claimed that Russia is ready to return another 3,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers.