Merz Chancellor wants to give Zelenski's “good advice” not to quarrel with Trump / Berlin proposal for the meeting between Russian and Ukrainian presidents
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, received in Berlin by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Photo credit: Ulrich Stamm / Imago Stock & People / Profimedia
The tripartite summit that US President Donald Trump wants to organize with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and the Russian one could take place in Europe, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested on Saturday, despite the arrest warrant issued by the Russian Court (AGP).
Following the summit with Putin on Friday in Alaska, the US president announced that, following the progress obtained at this meeting, he will receive Zelenski at the White House on Monday, and depending on how the discussion with him will take place about the negotiated solution of the Ukraine will then be organized a Tripartit Trump-Putin-Zenski summit.
“I believe (…) that such a tripartite meeting will take place,” said Chancellor Friedrich Merz in an interview with German positions NTV and RTL on Saturday. “The date and place of progress is to be set (…) I proposed that such a place will be in Europe. Perhaps this should be the location in which these discussions will be permanently held,” Merz added, without suggesting any city or country. “These are issues of detail. They will be clarified only in the days or even the next few weeks,” he added.
Hungary, possible host for the Trump-Putin-Zenski summit
Putin's major request at the Alaska summit, which Trump immediately sent to Zelenski, arouses the greatest fear of Ukraine and Europe
The International Criminal Court (CPI) issued an arrest warrant on behalf of Vladimir Putin in March 2023 for the “illegal” transfer of some Ukrainian children to Russia. Of the European countries, Hungary withdrew from the CPI in April 2025, on the first day of the visit to Budapest of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on whose behalf the international court also issued an arrest warrant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
The German Chancellor has confirmed that the United States would now be willing to join the European countries in the offering of security guarantees Ukraine, in the event of a peace agreement with Russia. “The good news is that America is ready to participate in such security guarantees and does not leave them only at the expense of Europeans,” said Friedrich Merz.
Referring to the criticisms of Trump after he insisted before the summit with Putin for an immediate armistice in Ukraine, and after the summit he estimated that the mere cessation of fire is no longer a viable way to stop the war and that there is a direct need for a peace agreement, the German Chancellor appreciated that if he will be able to take this summit, more than an armistice. “
Also, the German Chancellor, who participated with other European leaders in a telephone discussion with Trump after the Alaska summit, announced that the US president sent them in this discussion that Russia seems to negotiate rather on the current line of the Ukraine front than based on the borders of the Ukrainian regions. “This is a huge difference, as Russia claims the territories that it has not yet occupied,” Merz noted.
European leaders want to avoid a tense meeting
On the other hand, the German Chancellor argued that the meeting that Zelenski will have at the White House will not be for Ukrainian president as difficult as the one in February, when the two quarreled in the world in the Oval Office.
In order for such a situation not to repeat itself, Merz said that he and other European leaders will have a discussion with Zelenski on Sunday to help them prepare for Trump. “We will offer some good tips,” assured the German Chancellor.
In short statements given to the press at the end of the Alaska summit, concluded without concrete results, Trump and Putin spoke vaguely about certain agreements, without giving any detail. But, in an interview, then given to the Fox News, Trump said that discussed with Putin about exchanges of territories, referring to the transfer to Russia of some territories of Ukraine currently occupied by the Russian army, and about security guarantees for Ukraine, adding that “they mostly agree.”
“I think we are very close to an agreement,” Trump said. “Ukraine must also accept it. Maybe they will say” no “,” the US president added, who advised Zelenski to “conclude an agreement.”
The sources of the US press revealed what Trump told Zelenski on the phone after meeting Putin: “Better than an armistice”
According to sources quoted by Reuters, President Putin asked the Trump summit for Ukraine to completely retreat from the Donbas region (made up of Donetk and Lugansk provinces) and instead of freezing the rest of the front line. Sources close to the Ukrainian presidency, however, say that Zelenski continues to reject any territory and insist on an armistice, so it remains to be seen if it will maintain these positions at the meeting with Trump.
