German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday (December 17) called the reply by Russian President Vladimir Putin to a proposed Christmas truce cynical and brutal.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that a Christmas truce would depend on whether a peace deal is reached or not.

Following two days of talks regarding the peace plan for the Ukrainian crisis in Berlin, Merz said that it was now time to talk about the price of peace.

"This price includes Germany contributing, together with its allies, to security guarantees for the future of Ukraine after a ceasefire. We will discuss the specific nature of this contribution in due course," Merz said in a speech in the German parliament.

Merz will meet with other leaders of the European Union in Brussels on Thursday (December 18) to further discuss the use of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine.

The main problem still to be resolved by EU leaders is Belgium's demand that others in the 27-nation bloc share the financial risks if Russia were to successfully sue either Belgium or Euroclear in international courts.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ WALKING TO LECTERN

2. MERZ SPEAKING

3. PARLIAMENT MEMBERS LISTENING

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (DEUTSCHER BUNDESTAG - Access all)

4. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ SAYING:

"Ladies and gentlemen, Berlin has done all it can in terms of diplomacy in recent days and hours. It cannot do more. (CUT TO APPLAUSE) But all those who now believe that diplomacy alone can end this war should remember what President Putin said in response to my public request to at least lay down arms over Christmas. Ladies and gentlemen, the response to this request could not have been more cynical and brutal."

5. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT APPLAUDING

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

5. MERZ SPEAKING

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (DEUTSCHER BUNDESTAG - Access all)

6. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ SAYING:

"Now we are talking about the price of peace. This price includes Germany contributing, together with its allies, to security guarantees for the future of Ukraine after a ceasefire. We will discuss the specific nature of this contribution in due course."

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

7. PARLIAMENT

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (DEUTSCHER BUNDESTAG - Access all)

8. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ SAYING:

"The European Union's ability to act is also measured by whether, after 26 years of negotiations, we are finally in a position to conclude this trade agreement and thus also to swiftly move forward with the trade agreements negotiated in Mexico and Indonesia."

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

9. MERZ LISTENING TO QUESTION DURING QUESTION SESSION

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (DEUTSCHER BUNDESTAG - Access all)

10. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ SAYING:

"We did indeed hold intensive consultations last weekend. And we also took these consultations as an opportunity to fundamentally revise the proposals put forward by the American government. The 28 points in the proposals from four weeks ago have now become 20 points, which we have largely agreed on."

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

11. MERZ SPEAKING

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (DEUTSCHER BUNDESTAG - Access all)

11. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ SAYING:

"And I want to make it very clear once again, I will leave no doubt, either here or in Brussels, that it is the firm intention of the German government, which I lead, to support Ukraine for as long as necessary in order to prevent the violent change of borders in Europe. (CUT TO PARLIAMENT) And that is what will guide me in all the discussions we will be holding in the coming hours and days."

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

12. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT LISTENING

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (DEUTSCHER BUNDESTAG - Access all)

13. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ SAYING:

"I can say this because it was made public this morning. Last night, the first deportation flight to Afghanistan took place. And we will continue along this path because we believe it is the right thing to do."

BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 17, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

14. PARLIAMENT