Merz calls Trump over plan for Ukraine: What they agreed on
Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump discussed the 28-point peace plan delivered by the US to Ukraine on the evening of November 21, Bild informs.
It is noted that the conversation between Merz and Trump lasted 15 minutes. Before that, Merz had spent the entire day holding talks with other European leaders, clarifying their position on the American peace plan, which grants Russia a large number of advantages.
Merz spoke with Trump by phone from his hometown of Arnsberg in the Sauerland region. He became the first European leader to discuss Trump’s peace plan with him.
"It was a confidential and constructive phone conversation… Further steps and consultations were agreed upon. Merz will now inform European partners about the content of the call," said German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius.
The outlet suggests that European countries, as well as Japan and Canada, will use the G20 summit, which opens in South Africa on November 22, to coordinate their positions. Trump is boycotting the summit.
US peace plan: What is known
Presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the US peace plan consists of 28 points developed by Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. It is believed that Russia was involved in drafting the plan — some strange phrases in the document point to this, and most of the points are categorically unacceptable for Ukraine.
Among other things, the plan envisions handing over part of Donbas territory to Russia in exchange for long-term security guarantees for Ukraine and the EU, reducing the size of the Ukrainian army, abandoning long-range weaponry, and more. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already commented on the plan and generally approved it.
Trump himself stated on November 21 during a press briefing that he expects Ukraine to adopt the American peace plan by US Thanksgiving, which falls on November 27. In case of refusal, the US threatens to stop providing weapons and intelligence to Kyiv. In effect, Ukraine has been given an ultimatum.
On November 21, Zelenskyy discussed the American peace plan with Merz and the leaders of the United Kingdom and France. Merz, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and President Emmanuel Macron expressed their support for Ukraine.
