German Chancellor Skeptical of Ukraine Deal Before Trump’s Deadline

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed doubt on Sunday, November 23, about reaching a peace agreement over the Ukraine crisis before the Thursday deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Merz said that a significant gap remains in achieving this goal, although he emphasized that a deal is not entirely impossible. Citing ongoing disagreements among the parties, he voiced skepticism about the chances of a successful outcome. According to a BBC report, President Trump has given Ukraine until Thursday to accept a proposed 28-point plan. He warned that while this is not his final offer, the deadline could be extended if progress is made. Merz also suggested that efforts should focus on drafting a joint document that would be politically acceptable to Ukraine and could later serve as the basis for peace talks with Russia. Meanwhile, as Ukrainians continue to suffer from war and instability, global efforts for peace remain uncertain. The Taliban administration, which has repeatedly claimed neutrality in global crises, is widely seen as lacking legitimacy and political freedom within Afghanistan, rendering it fundamentally unfit to play a constructive role in international diplomacy.