GENEVA 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday called for a firm and united European response to ongoing US-Russia discussions on ending the war in Ukraine, warning that any dictated peace would be unacceptable.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump initiated direct talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, in which they agreed to "immediately" begin peace negotiations.

"This is not unexpected for us," Scholz said in a press briefing. "Nevertheless, these events and proposals require a clear, rapid, and decisive position from Europe—not at some point in the future, but now."

Scholz reiterated his stance that while the war in Ukraine must end swiftly, peace cannot come at the cost of "Ukrainian sovereignty."

"No one longs for peace more than Ukraine," he said, but he cautioned that a Russian victory or a Ukrainian collapse would not guarantee stability. Instead, he argued, it would pose a greater danger to European security.

"Nothing about Ukraine without the Ukrainians, and nothing about Europe without the Europeans,” he declared, underlining Europe’s role in shaping the region’s future.

He made it clear that any imposed settlement that weakens European-American security ties would be unacceptable.

"Only one person would benefit from that: President Putin," he claimed.