The counter-proposals, which were reportedly discussed in a phone call with Trump on Wednesday, mainly concern what concessions Ukraine is prepared to make on the highly disputed issue of territories, Merz stated, according to the British The Guardian.
At today's press conference with NATO chief Mark Rutte in Berlin, Merz hints at a possible summit in the German capital on Monday, possibly with President Trump in attendance.
Later today, a video conference will be held within the “coalition of the willing,” which brings together Ukraine’s allies in Europe. The meeting this afternoon is expected to discuss Europe’s response to the latest US proposal to silence the guns in Ukraine. According to France, the focus will be on what security guarantees European countries can contribute.
The British and French leaders Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron are hosting the meeting, and together with Merz, they participated in Wednesday's talks with Trump, in what is said to have been a tense atmosphere.
"We discussed Ukraine in pretty strong terms," Trump said afterward, according to The Guardian .
The president also said that continued discussions that may occur between the United States and Europe this weekend risk being a "waste of time."
On Thursday, however, Merz called the phone call with Trump "constructive."
In addition to Starmer, Macron and Merz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a host of other European leaders will also be participating in today's video conference. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirms to TT that he will be attending.
