Germany's Merz says EU willing to talk to Russia, but will not hold 'parallel' talks

BERLIN, Feb 6 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday that the European Union is always willing to hold talks with Russia in an effort to end the war in Ukraine, but will not "open any parallel channels of communication."

"We are, of course, always ready to hold talks with Russia," Merz told reporters in Abu Dhabi. "Currently, coordinated talks are taking place here in Abu Dhabi ... if we can contribute to making these talks even better, even more successful, then we will do so. But we will not open any parallel channels of communication."