Following a recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has indicated potential for constructive outcomes, contingent on subsequent actions.
Speaking on Saturday, Merz detailed that President Trump had extensively discussed with Putin the potential mechanisms for a peace agreement, including a commitment from the U.S. to offer security guarantees for Ukraine – an aspect not fully conveyed during their joint press conference. He characterized this willingness of the United States to collaborate with European partners on security assurances as a significant development. However, Merz stressed that substantial work remains to establish a comprehensive peace agreement, particularly if a ceasefire isn’t immediately achieved and this effort rests with all involved parties.
Conversely, Carlo Masala of the German Armed Forces University has voiced criticism, arguing that the U.S. President seemingly deviated from previously established agreements during the meeting. “From a European perspective, the sentiment remains that the U.S. can no longer be reliably depended upon” Masala stated.
According to Masala, Trump now appears aligned with Putin’s preference for a peace agreement rather than a ceasefire. He contends that Moscow views the meeting as a success, perceiving Putin as being treated as an equal and unwilling to compromise. Masala emphasized that Ukraine must be centrally involved in any peace negotiations. He also indicated he was not surprised by the demonstrably warm reception Trump gave Putin, noting a long-observed fascination with authoritarian leaders.
