Merz urges Trump to step up pressure on Putin

After meeting Donald Trump on Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he had urged the US president to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.

‘Russia is playing for time here, thereby acting against the will of the US president. In our talks, I called for increased pressure on Moscow,’ he told reporters.

The United States, Russia and Ukraine are engaged in trilateral talks aimed at reaching a peace agreement. However, Merz said only a settlement backed by Europe could prove lasting.

‘We are not prepared to accept an agreement that is negotiated behind our backs,’ he said.

(reuters, im)