Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) expressed hope on Sunday that the planned phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday would lead to further progress towards peace in Ukraine. Merz made the comments on the sidelines of the papal inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome. He had the opportunity to speak with Ukrainian President Selenskyj for an extended period while they were both in the St. Peter’s Basilica. Merz also spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who discussed the upcoming phone call. The leaders of France, the United Kingdom and Germany also plan to speak with President Trump to prepare for the conversation. Merz said, “My firm impression is that both Europeans and Americans are determined to work together, but now also in a goal-oriented way, to ensure that this terrible war ends soon.” He added, “We have made small steps in the past few days, but it is still progress. The parties are talking to each other and there has been a prisoner exchange that has been agreed upon and is now being carried out.” Merz expressed hope that awareness would increase and that progress could be made on this path forward.
Merz Praises Potential Progress in Trump-Putin Talks on Ukraine
