German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that there are no signs yet that Russia’s war against Ukraine will “end quickly”.
“What we are currently experiencing in Ukraine with Russia gives me a certain amount of concern about the coming days, weeks and possibly months,” said the politician, who was quoted by the Tagesspiegel daily.
Merz said it was important for him that a signal was sent “very quickly” from Germany about the intention to make more efforts than before to act in coordination with European partners, but also, where possible, in coordination with U.S. partners.
This statement by the German Chancellor came after a telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump subsequently said that Russia and Ukraine should “immediately” begin talks on a ceasefire and ending the war.
After that, Trump held phone talks with Zelensky and some European leaders.
At the same time, the Financial Times, citing sources with knowledge of Trump’s conversation with European leaders, reported that Trump made it clear that he would withdraw the US from the conflict and leave Ukraine and Russia to negotiate a ceasefire directly. He also did not promise future U.S. sanctions against Russia if Putin abandoned any attempts at peace.
One person familiar with the conversation said the leaders were stunned by the US president’s description of what had been agreed. They added that it was clear Trump was “not prepared to put more pressure” on Putin to seriously come to the negotiating table.
The phone calls came after Russian and Ukrainian representatives met in Istanbul for face-to-face talks.