Russia's war against Ukraine will drag on for a long time, says German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He said this in an interview with the channel ZDF .

Asked if he hoped a ceasefire would be reached by next year, the Chancellor said he was not losing hope, but he also had no illusions. Merz said he was prepared for the war in Ukraine to drag on for a long time.

"We are trying to finish it as quickly as possible. But definitely not at the cost of Ukraine's surrender," he noted.

According to the German leader, the war could end tomorrow if Ukraine surrenders and loses its independence, but then the war threatens the next country.

"Only then, the day after tomorrow, will it be the next country's turn. And the day after tomorrow it will be our turn. This is not an option," the chancellor said.

In addition, Merz said that security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire are currently being discussed. According to him, only then will it be possible to implement"many things." He also emphasized that no one is currently talking about the introduction of ground troops into Ukraine.

Other predictions regarding the end of the war in Ukraine

As UNIAN previously reported, in Italy a forecast was made on ending the war in Ukraine. According to Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, it is unlikely that a peace agreement will be reached by the end of this year."I don't want to be pessimistic, but it is unlikely that a negotiated solution will be reached in Ukraine by the end of the year," he said.

Meanwhile, US Vice President J.D. Vance recently stated that The war in Ukraine may end in the next six months. He also expressed admiration for US President Donald Trump, who is"engaging in vigorous diplomacy to try to stop the killings."

Thus, after talks in Alaska with Putin and a meeting in Washington with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, US President Donald Trump stated that" there is a good chance of ending the war in Ukraine".