Germany's Merz believes Trump shares Europe's position on Russia-Ukraine war

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he is optimistic that European leaders and US President Donald Trump have reached a common position on the war in Ukraine.

Source: Merz at a press conference on the sidelines of the G7 summit, as quoted by 20 Minuten and reported by European Pravda

Details: The German chancellor said he believes that European leaders and the US president will work even more closely in future peace efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

"What makes us all feel confident is President Trump's statement: 'Russia must end this war.' And I think that sends a clear message," Merz told journalists on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France.

He said European leaders had held detailed discussions with the US president on the next steps and possible additional sanctions against Russia. According to Merz, this gave him a certain degree of optimism that the Europeans and Americans will now work together to do everything possible to bring this war to an end.

The chancellor added that the leaders have agreed on the need to continue strengthening support for Kyiv while increasing pressure on Moscow to force Russia to the negotiating table.

Asked whether Trump has promised to support new sanctions against Russia and whether Europeans will participate in future peace negotiations, Merz said that neither issue had been in doubt.

He also stressed that Moscow will not be able to win the war by military means. In addition, he said Russia's economy is suffering from both the war and sanctions, which creates an opportunity for peace.

According to Merz, the US president is gradually becoming more receptive to this assessment of the situation and is now working with Europe to find a way to end this war.

Background:

• Media reports indicate that the G7 leaders at the summit in Évian-les-Bains have agreed to increase pressure on Russia through new sanctions targeting oil and gas exports in an effort to cut off funding for Moscow's war effort.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that all the G7 countries believe Russia has no intention of ending the war and that sanctions are needed to force it into negotiations.
• Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump suggested on the sidelines of the summit that he might not extend exemptions to sanctions on Russian oil that have been introduced in response to global price increases caused by the Iran war.

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