German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently asked the Chinese leader to influence Russia, said after talks at the White House with US President Donald Trump that only increased pressure from Washington on Putin could force the Russian government to make concessions on the issue of Ukraine.
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He said this at a briefing after his meeting with Trump.
“Russia is stalling and acting against the will of the American president. Today I called on Trump to increase pressure on Moscow,” the Chancellor said.
According to Friedrich Merz, he warned the US president that Europe would not accept any agreement on Ukraine without its direct participation.
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“Europe must become an integral part of the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Only a peace that Europe supports and legitimizes can be lasting,” Merz emphasized during the briefing.
The Chancellor also emphasized that Europe's position is unambiguous: any decisions regarding the Ukrainian issue must take into account the opinion of Kyiv and European countries.
Later, in an interview with German ARD, Merz clarified that he explained the situation in Ukraine to Trump using a map. This is how he argued his opinion that the Ukrainian army should not give up territory.
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“The front line that Ukraine currently holds must remain and must not shift further west in favor of Russia, at the expense of Ukraine,” the Chancellor said, adding that if this front line falls, “the road to Kyiv will be open.” The Chancellor also, according to him, particularly focused Trump’s attention on the strategic importance of Odessa for Ukraine as the gateway to the Black Sea.
“Perhaps I was able to make a greater contribution to a better understanding of the situation on the ground,” Merz added.
Recall that the meeting between Merz and Trump at the White House took place against the backdrop of discussions regarding future peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.
Earlier, Friedrich Merz stated that the German government would support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
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Photos from open sources