PoliticsWar Merz did not persuade Trump to stress Moscow and supply help to Kyiv. Monday, June 9, 2025

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had one primary request for US President Trump throughout his go to to the Oval Workplace late final week: That the American chief help Europe in pressuring Moscow to stop its assaults on Ukraine and finish the conflict. In Washington, Merz harassed that the US and Germany agree on “how horrible this conflict is,” whereas assigning all blame for the violence to Putin and emphasizing that Germany helps Ukraine.

To which Trump replied: “Possibly they should combat slightly extra.” It marks yet one more retreat by Trump from the bloody conflict that he had confidently promised to finish.

The US president made no guarantees to place stress on Russia and supplied no particular commitments to produce weapons to Ukraine or help sanctions.

President Zelenskyy responded to Trump’s phrases, who in contrast Russia and Ukraine to youngsters combating within the park, who must be allowed to combat: “We’re not youngsters with Putin on a playground within the park. He’s a assassin who got here to this park to kill youngsters.”

Merely rising financial stress on Russia will not be sufficient to pressure Putin to take a seat down on the negotiating desk, however Western army help to Ukraine and Russia’s losses on the battlefield can change the Kremlin’s coverage.