WASHINGTON, March 3 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking after a meeting with Donald Trump on Tuesday, said he had urged the president to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir
Merz Presses Trump to Step Up Pressure on Putin in Ukraine Conflict Talks
Chancellor Merz's Call for Increased Pressure on Russia
Merz's Meeting with President Trump
WASHINGTON, March 3 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking after a meeting with Donald Trump on Tuesday, said he had urged the president to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.
Merz's Statement on Russia's Tactics
"Russia is playing for time here, and in doing so is also acting against the will of the American president. In today's talks, I called for increasing the pressure on Moscow," he told reporters.
Trilateral Peace Talks and Europe's Role
The United States, Russia and Ukraine are taking part in trilateral talks aimed at securing a peace deal. Merz though said only a pact supported by Europe could be lasting.
Europe's Stance on Peace Agreements
Merz's Warning Against Exclusion
"We are not prepared to accept an agreement that is negotiated over our heads," he said.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Andreas Rinke, writing by David Ljunggren; Editing by Daphne Psaledakis)
