German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Russia that it would face new European sanctions if there was no "real progress" toward peace in Ukraine this week.

"We agree that if there is no real progress this week, then we will work together at the European level to significantly tighten sanctions," Merz said at a press conference with visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The chancellor called on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to discuss a ceasefire and peace in Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on May 15, AFP reported.

"We welcome the fact that President Zelensky has personally agreed to travel to Turkey to negotiate peace with President Putin. But now it really depends on Putin to accept this offer for negotiations and agree to a ceasefire. The ball is entirely in Russia's court," Merkel said.

"We agree to an immediate and unconditional 30-day ceasefire. We have emphasized that the EU must be at the center of any peace agreement, as well as the titanic task of reconstruction," Mitsotakis said.

"If the Russian government does not accept this, we will consider other areas such as the energy sector and the financial market" to target sanctions, Merz said.

He emphasized that he admired Zelensky's "courage" and his willingness "to do everything possible to seize the opportunity for a ceasefire and subsequent peace talks in Ukraine."

The chancellor insisted that "the bottom line is: This war must stop."

"That is why we are providing military aid and, if necessary, will continue to support Ukraine with military means for many years to come if this war does not stop. None of us is prepared to accept that borders in Europe will be changed by military force. If we allow this to happen, we will witness further military aggression against other European countries, and therefore no one should underestimate our determination," he added.

"Germany has taken important decisions to increase its own defense spending, which opens up opportunities for cooperation in this area as well. We must strengthen the European defense industry. To achieve this, we must choose our partners in this area carefully. They must be in line with European foreign policy. Otherwise, problems of security and trust will arise," the Greek prime minister explained. | BGNES