German Chancellor Friedrich Merz credited U.S. President Donald Trump with persuading Russia's President to agree to a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told President Trump the united European position was that there should be a cease-fire before more difficult peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia begin. “To be honest,

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday pressed for a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine before President Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet. “I can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire.

A few of the leaders were said to have interrupted summer holidays to fly to the United States on less than 24 hours’ notice to meet with the Ukrainian leader.

Ukraine and its European backers are seeking talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in an effort to protect their security interests ahead of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week.