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Germany's Merz asks Trump for 'no surprises' from Putin talks
Reuters • • world
Key Points:
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged US President Donald Trump to avoid unexpected moves during upcoming Ukraine talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in China, emphasizing the need for coordination with European allies.
- Merz referenced concerns about a "second Anchorage moment," recalling the tense Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, and called on the US to remain aligned with "Team Europe" and "Team Ukraine."
- He is advocating for EU leaders to back Ukraine in negotiations tied to the EU's long-term budget, noting broad support but acknowledging that an agreement is still distant.
- Merz highlighted that substantive peace talks involving Europe are expected soon after recent US-Russia meetings in Abu Dhabi, with a focus on securing Ukraine's future security framework.
- He dismissed Russia's demand to center talks on Europe's security architecture, insisting that NATO already provides this framework and that the priority must be achieving peace and guaranteeing Ukraine's security.
