Trump assures Merz of his 'strong support' for Europe's efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine
Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany (Photo: Getty Images)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the joint efforts of the American and European sides to end Russia's war against Ukraine during a conversation with US President Donald Trump, according to the press service of the German federal government.
In a phone conversation with the German Chancellor on the evening of May 8, US President Donald Trump addressed several issues, including the partnership between the two countries, trade disputes, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Additionally, it is noted that Trump congratulated the German Chancellor on his recent inauguration.
In the Office of Merz, it was reported that the German official assured the US president that 80 years after the end of World War II, the US remains an indispensable friend and partner of Germany.
"President Trump and Chancellor Merz agreed to work closely together to end the war in Ukraine. The Chancellor shared the president's call for a swift end to the killings in Ukraine. Russia must now agree to a ceasefire to create space for negotiations," the German government’s office reported.
It was also noted that Trump expressed his strong support for Germany's efforts alongside France, the UK, Poland, and other European partners to achieve lasting peace.
The Merz office further informed that the interlocutors agreed to resolve trade disputes quickly.
"Both agreed on close exchanges and announced mutual visits to the US and Germany," the office added.
Conversations between the leaders of Ukraine, the US, and Germany on May 8
On May 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held his first talks with Friedrich Merz as the new Chancellor of Germany (Merz took the oath of office as the head of the German government on May 6). During their conversation, the parties discussed support for Ukraine.
Later on the evening of May 8, it was reported that Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump. According to the Ukrainian president, the conversation was good, very warm, and constructive. The two leaders discussed steps toward ending the war between Ukraine and Russia and the potential for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
In a social media post, Trump reiterated his call for a comprehensive ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, ideally lasting 30 days, and spoke about the consequences for any party that violates the truce, including new sanctions.
Issue of security guarantees from Europe
In February, then-US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated that Trump wanted to end the Russia-Ukraine war, with security guarantees being placed on Europe.
That month, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, after an emergency summit in Paris, expressed Europe's readiness to take the lead in providing security guarantees to Ukraine.
In March, Trump stated that he did not want to provide security guarantees to Ukraine until the war with Russia had ended. He noted that his priorities differed from those of Europe.
