Germany's Merz says 'sceptical' on Ukraine deal by Thursday

"I remain, I don't want to say pessimistic, but I am not yet convinced that the solutions desired by President Trump will be achieved in the course of the next few days," Merz said at the G20 summit in Johannesburg.

"President Trump's plan is to reach a conclusion on Thursday, but we are still a long way from that... I am sceptical as to whether such an outcome is possible given the current differences," he added.

Trump's plan to end the war in Ukraine, which echoes several of Russia's hardline demands, has drawn pushback from Kyiv and its European allies who are seeking some changes.

Ukrainian, European and Canadian national security officials were gathering in Geneva on Sunday to discuss the proposal.

"The task now is to make the 28-point plan presented by the American government a viable document," Merz said.

He added that he had made a proposal being discussed in Geneva that may make it possible to "at least take a first step on Thursday".

"If all 28 points listed are too much... then I would at least like to try to find one point on which agreement can be reached," he said, without giving further details.

The German chancellor said it was important to establish "what security guarantees can be given to really secure a possible agreement with Russia".

He also rejected the point in the plan that says Russia would rejoin the G8.

"If anything is to change, it will only be decided by all of the current G7 members, and at the moment I cannot see... a willingness to readmit Russia to this circle," he said.