--- title: "Berlin Does Not Rule Out Phone Call Between Merz and Putin After Abu Dhabi Talks" description: "Following the Abu Dhabi talks, Berlin has not ruled out a phone call between Chancellor Merz and Putin. Germany announced that an understanding of the basic settlement principles has been reached and will be handed over to the Kremlin." date: 2026-11-12T04:40:00.458Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/berlin-does-not-rule-out-merz-putin-phone-call tags: [merz, putin, abu-dhabi-talks, ukraine-war, germany, ceasefire, nato] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Berlin Does Not Rule Out Phone Call Between Merz and Putin After Abu Dhabi Talks ![German politician Friedrich Merz smiling in a blue suit and scarf](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/12/merz-putin-phone-call-after-abu-dhabi-talks/merz-putin-phone-call-after-abu-dhabi-talks-1.webp) ## Key Points - Following the Abu Dhabi talks, Berlin raised the possibility of a phone call between Merz and Putin. - Germany announced the achievement of an understanding on basic settlement principles to be forwarded to the Kremlin. - The EU, US, and Ukraine agreed on four negotiation principles; peace in Ukraine is discussed before European security issues. - On the second day, Russia refused to discuss a ceasefire, territorial issues, energy, and Black Sea security. - Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner are heading to Moscow, then Dublin; Zelenskyy urged Europe to choose a representative by the end of November. Following a round of negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Berlin has raised the possibility of a telephone contact between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Die Zeit, this was stated by official German government spokesman Stefan Cornelius. He noted that the UAE talks achieved an understanding of the basic principles for future settlement, and these developments are now planned to be communicated to the Russian leadership so that further talks can develop on this basis. ### “Understanding of Basic Principles” “We have reached an understanding of the basic principles in Abu Dhabi. This understanding is now being conveyed to the Russian president as well, and conversations can develop on this basis,” Cornelius was quoted as saying by RBC-Ukraine. According to him, European countries together with the US and Ukraine have agreed on four principles for further negotiations to end the war. The key principle is sequence: peace in Ukraine must be agreed upon first, and only then should discussions on European and transatlantic security begin. Any agreement, the spokesman emphasized, is possible only with the consent of all NATO allies. ### Kremlin Position and Readiness for Contacts In turn, the Kremlin stated via TASS that Vladimir Putin is open to contacts with the European Union and personally with the German Chancellor. Merz himself previously stated that he would not refuse a meeting if Putin attends the G20 summit scheduled for December in Miami. Thus, both sides have publicly confirmed their readiness for dialogue, although the format and location of a potential contact remain uncertain for now. ### Unresolved Issues and Russia's Position Despite the stated understanding, the main issues of the settlement remain open. According to RBC-Ukraine sources, on the second day of negotiations, Russia refused to discuss a ceasefire, territorial issues, energy, and Black Sea security. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian side assessed the meeting's outcome as significant progress and allows for the possibility that important steps toward peace could be made before the end of the year. ### Further Negotiation Track According to available information, the next stage will be a trip by US Presidential Envoys Witkoff and Kushner: they are scheduled to meet first with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and then with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin. Zelenskyy himself called on European countries to decide on a representative for the negotiations by the end of November so that the European side could participate in the process on a coordinated basis. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Мерц может провести разговор с Путиным после переговоров в Абу-Даби](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/merts-mozhe-provesti-rozmovu-putinim-pislya-1794458008.html) - Primary source: Cornelius quote, four principles, Russia's refusal to discuss ceasefire and territorial issues, Witkoff/Kushner track, Zelenskyy's call. - [По итогам переговоров в Абу-Даби у Мерца заявили о готовности говорить с Путиным](https://www.unian.net/world/peregovory-v-abu-dabi-merc-mozhet-provesti-razgovor-s-putinym-13557165.html) - Confirms Cornelius's quote, the Kremlin's statement on Putin's openness to contacts with the EU and Merz, and a potential meeting at the G20 in Miami in December. - [Шансы на переговоры Мерца с путиным возросли – правительство Германии](https://www.5.ua/ru/myr/shansi-na-perehovori-mertsa-s-putynim-vozrosly-pravytelstvo-hermanyy-386096.html) - Confirms the allowance of phone contact, the transfer of findings to the Kremlin, and the context of the G20 in Miami. - [Мерц поддержал звонок Путину, но потребовал места за столом переговоров](https://life.ru/p/merts-podderzhal-zvonok-putinu-no-potreboval-mesta-za-stolom-peregovorov) - Подтверждено по источнику life.ru ## FAQ ### Is a phone call between Merz and Putin possible? Yes. According to German government spokesman Stefan Cornelius, following the Abu Dhabi talks, the likelihood of contacts with Putin has increased, and further conversations may develop based on the reached understanding. ### What principles were agreed upon in Abu Dhabi? According to Cornelius, European countries together with the US and Ukraine agreed on four principles for further negotiations: first agree on peace in Ukraine, then discuss European and transatlantic security; any agreement is possible only with the consent of all NATO allies. ### What did Russia refuse to discuss? According to RBC-Ukraine sources, on the second day of negotiations, Russia refused to discuss a ceasefire, territorial issues, energy, and Black Sea security. ### What is the next stage of negotiations? US Presidential Envoys Witkoff and Kushner are to meet Putin in Moscow and then Zelenskyy in Dublin. Zelenskyy urged Europe to decide on a representative by the end of November.