Merz calls on Trump to include Europeans in trilateral talks on Ukraine

That is according to a statement posted on the official website of the German chancellor, Ukrinform reports.

"I have advocated for expanding the negotiations between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia to include the Europeans. President Trump knows that only a peace supported and legitimized by Europe can truly be lasting. He also knows that Europe's contributions to Ukraine's security, its reconstruction, and its integration into the European Union will be absolutely essential for this peace. Without the EU and our close partners – and I explicitly include Great Britain in that – without us, this is impossible," the chancellor said.

During the talks with Trump, Merz also called for increasing pressure on Russia to force it toward peace.

"In our talks, I advocated for increasing pressure on Moscow. The Russian economy is visibly weakened after four years of war. The Russian military has paid an unprecedented price in blood. The Russian giant now stands on shaky ground. Therefore, we want to find solutions here, but solutions that include the Europeans. We are not prepared to accept an agreement negotiated behind our backs," Merz said.

The chancellor also expressed doubts to Trump about the willingness of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to agree to a peace deal that is acceptable to both Ukraine and Europe.

"Russia is playing for time here and thus also playing against the will of the American president," he added.

Merz announced further personal contacts with Trump in the summer and noted that they would remain in touch to address urgent issues.

"We will meet at the latest in June at the G7 Summit in Evian in France, and then again at the NATO Summit in Ankara in July. We will have various opportunities throughout the year to exchange views on these matters. We also agreed that we will call each other very quickly if issues arise that need to be discussed or even resolved promptly," he said.

Photo: White House