German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday gave a positive assessment of the summit with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, reported dpa.
"My expectations have not only been met, but exceeded," Merz said after the talks.
The chancellor acknowledged that he had not been certain the meeting would go so well. "It could have turned out differently," he added.
Merz said these are "fateful days for Ukraine and for Europe."
Merz described the talks with Trump, which followed a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, as very open. He however stressed that real negotiations could only take place at a summit in which Ukraine also participates.
"Such a summit is only conceivable if the weapons fall silent," the chancellor emphasized.
Security guarantees for Ukraine
The White House discussions also included intensive talks on security guarantees for Ukraine following a potential peace agreement. "We very much welcomed President Trump's announcement that he would give Ukraine security guarantees," Merz said.
The German leader added that the details – including who would participate in these guarantees and to what extent – would need to be discussed between European partners and the US government. "It is absolutely clear that the whole of Europe should participate," he said.
Germany, Merz added, bears "a high responsibility" in this process. The extent of Germany's involvement will have to be discussed within Europe and within the coalition in Berlin – "right down to the question of whether we may have to take decisions that require a mandate."
Decisions requiring a mandate would mean that the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, would have to approve sending Bundeswehr soldiers to Ukraine.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
