German Chancellor Merz broke with the generally optimistic tone at the European leaders meeting at the White House on Monday, stating a ceasefire is necessary for peace.

There was little concrete progress Monday on the obstacles to ending the war — a deadlock that likely favors Russian President Vladimir Putin.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday took a hard stance on the need for a ceasefire in Ukraine before a peace deal with Russia can be signed, as European leaders convened in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

Far-right AfD party accuses gov't of taking 'dangerous' steps, while socialist Left Party opposes NATO troops to Ukraine, proposes UN peacekeeping mission instead - Anadolu Ajansı

The U.S. is ready to be part of security guarantees for Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday, a day after a summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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. "My expectations have not only been met,

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Ukraine must not hand over Donbas to Russia, comparing such discussions to the United States giving up one of its states, according to The Guardian. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that Kyiv must not be forced into territorial concessions.

Merz joined a White House meeting of top European leaders with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, which came three days after Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Alaska.

The White House says that Vladimir Putin told President Trump that he would meet with the man whose country Russia invaded, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It comes as Trump is ruling out sending U.

Friedrich Merz arrived in Washington this week alongside Europe’s most senior leaders, ostensibly to coordinate the continent’s response to Trump’s Ukraine designs. Here was Germany’s moment

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a press conference following talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani in Moscow, Russia, July 31, 2025. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov//File Photo MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that it was clear at Friday's U.