Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader and Union's chancellor candidate, has proposed the formation of a European contact group to address the post-war order in Ukraine.

This group would include Germany, France, the UK, and Poland, ensuring that peace proposals are made collaboratively rather than by Germany alone.

Merz emphasized that any peace plan must not give the impression of redrawing Europe's political map without the involvement of Eastern and Central European countries, particularly Ukraine.

His proposal comes in response to calls for more diplomatic efforts from German leaders, but he firmly rejects the idea of a hasty peace settlement with Russia.

Merz's initiative aims to balance diplomatic engagement with a strong stance against yielding to Russian aggression.