Although the main subject of talks in the White home Chancellor Germany with US president Donald Trump was the escalation of the mediate East conflict and the consequences of the American-Israeli attacks on Iran, the head of the German government besides spoke of the importance of the war in Ukraine. Friedrich Merz stressed the European position on this issue: the end of the war and safety guarantees for Kiev as shortly as possible.
At the same time, Berlin seeks to keep close cooperation with Washington, relieving tensions and stressing the community of interests, both in terms of European safety and the stableness of the global economy.
Friedrich Merz visits Donald Trump at the White home for the 3rd time. Last June, he made his inaugural visit, which he conducted in a harmonious atmosphere. Trump then described Merz as a “respected” and “good man” and promised: “We will have a wonderful relation with your country.”
In August, Merz and another leading European politicians participated in a summit devoted to Ukraine in the White House.
"Ukraine must preserve territory"
During the gathering at the Oval Office, Merz stated that all Western allies wanted to end the war in Ukraine as shortly as possible. However, he pointed out that a possible peace agreement could not take place at the expense of territorial integrity. “Ukraine must preserve its territory and its safety interests,” stressed the Chancellor, announcing an interview with Trump on this subject.
The U.S. president assured that Russia's war against Ukraine is advanced on his list of priorities. He added that there is simply a “great hatred” between the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine, which makes mediation difficult. inactive in 2024 Trump claimed during the election run that as president he would end the war within 24 hours. However, efforts to end the war on U.S. mediation have become deadlocked. “Sometimes I blame one, sometimes another,” Trump stated during a gathering at the White House.
The president of the United States is known for his variable positions on the war, but he is frequently accused of being besides close to the Russian position.
Unity of Iran, but no engagement in attacks
The most attention was given to the situation in Iran. Friedrich Merz stressed the convergence between Berlin and Washington's positions vis-à-vis the Tehran authorities, identifying the government as "terrible" and pointing to the request for political change. "We will besides talk about what will happen next; what will happen erstwhile the government is overthrown," added Merz.
At the same time, he pointed out that Germany, like another European NATO members, is not active in military operations against Iran.
The Chancellor said he hoped to rapidly end the US and Israel attacks on Iran, bearing in head the economical impact. “The rising prices of petrol and oil and gas harm our economies,” he stressed in consequence to a journalist’s question. He added that Europe hoped to reconstruct stableness as shortly as possible. He expressed hope that the Israeli and American armies had done the right thing so that the fresh government could reconstruct peace and freedom.
Donald Trump assessed German support as satisfactory, referring, among others, to the anticipation of the US utilizing military bases in Germany. He besides noted that he did not anticipate Berlin to send land troops. Germany is simply a ‘respectable country’ with which it has ‘very good relations’, the president of the United States stressed.
No succession plan in Tehran
The U.S. president admitted that after the death of Iran's ultimate leader, Ali Chamenei, Washington does not have a circumstantial plan for political succession in Tehran. “Many of the people we have been watching are dead,” Trump admitted.
He did not give clear support to Reza Pahlawa's emigration, the boy of the deposed chess in 1979, who declares his readiness to take over as interim leader.
According to Trump, a better solution would be individual “from within the country” if specified a individual were to enjoy real public support: “I said that he makes a very good impression, but I think that individual of his own ranks, who is presently popular – if any – would be better,” Donald Trump said.
Acute criticism of Spain and large Britain
During a joint press conference, Trump powerfully criticized the Spanish and UK governments . "Spain has indeed said that we are not allowed to usage their bases," Trump said, referring to the US attacks on Iran. He added that no 1 can dictate to the U.S. what they can and cannot do; if the U.S. wanted, they could usage the bases even without permission.
– They were hostile," Trump said. That is why he instructed his secretary of the treasure, Scott Bessent, to suspend the "all deals" with Spain. It is unclear what agreements Trump was talking about.
– I am besides not satisfied with the UK," Trump added. According to British media, the UK initially refused to launch attacks on Iran from British bases. On Sunday evening Prime Minister Starmer stepped down and allowed limited usage of the bases. Trump said there were far better solutions.
In addition, the president of the United States reiterated the war against Iran with his own safety interests, not Israel's decision. If anything, possibly I put force on Israel. But Israel was ready, and we were ready," he said during the gathering at the Oval Office. Trump pointed out that already during the negotiations with Iran he was certain that Tehran would attack first: "And I did not want that to happen," he added.
NATO and Defence Expenditure
The president of the United States has one more time credited himself with expanding defence spending in NATO states. During last year's Alliance Summit, it was agreed to gradually increase spending to 3.5% of GDP for military purposes and an additional 1.5% for infrastructure and defence-related expenditure, which is expected to full 5% of GDP by 2035.
Trump spoke positively of NATO's secretary-general, Mark Ruttem, calling him "fantastic". At the same time, he clearly distinguished European countries into those that were "helpful" and those that he felt did not meet Washington's expectations. The Germans entered the first group.
Merkel under fire, praise for Merz
During the meeting, Trump besides referred to erstwhile Chancellor Angela Merkel, accusing her that her migration and energy policy had harmed Germany. He stressed that Merz represented “in rule the other position” on these issues and called him “a prominent leader”.
Both politicians' individual relationships seem correct. Already during Merz's first visit to the White home last June, Trump described him as a "respected" and "good man", announcing "great relations" with Germany.