For a meeting that “not only responded, but exceeded his expectations”, but also for “critical days” for Ukraine and Europe, German Chancellor spoke. Friedrich Mertz After completing the talks in the White House, insisting on the need to declare a ceasefire, “at the latest” as the possible meeting of the Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski with the president of Russia Vladimir Putin.

“It was a good meeting with President Trump, President Zelenski and our European partners in Washington, but the next steps will be more complicated. We have to put pressure on Russia. There must be a ceasefire before further conversations, “said Chancellor Mertz via X.

Speaking to envoys and correspondents of German media in the US capital, Friedrich Mertz also said that any new summit should only be held with Ukraine participation. “It remains to be seen if Putin has the courage to do it,” he added, noting that a meeting of the two leaders is planning within the next two weeks, but it was not decided where. Subsequently, US President Trump is planning a trilateral meeting with his own participation.

On the issue of possible territorial concessions of Ukraine, Mr Mertz made it clear that he was not discussed at the meeting, but reiterated that the country should not be forced to grant territories. “The Russian requirement to give Kiev the free parts of Donbas is equivalent to – to understand the sizes – with a proposal to give the US to Florida. A sovereign state cannot decide this so easily. It is a decision that Ukraine itself must make during the negotiations, “he said.

The Chancellor, however, welcomed the security guarantees that was willing to offer Ukraine Trump. “We grew up with great emphasis on President Trump’s announcement that he would provide security guarantees to Ukraine. These security guarantees required a very long and intensive discussion. The conclusion is that the US is ready to provide security guarantees and coordinate this with Europeans. Therefore, in the event of a peace agreement, there will be corresponding security guarantees for Ukraine, “Mr Mertz said.

The German Chancellor also said goodbye to the “open”, as he said, Donald Trump’s stance on humanitarian issues, such as the 19,000 children that Ukraine has been abducted.

Asked if Germany would develop troops by contributing to a future security guarantee in Ukraine, Friedrich Mertz said that “it is clear that all of Europe should participate, as it is not only the Ukrainian territories, but its large -scale European territory, but its political classroom and its political class” Bundeswehr should mediate a debate with government partners in Berlin and a mandate by the federal parliament.

You can see all the developments for Ukraine here.