Merz calls for greater pressure on Russia

Kananaskis (dpa) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (photo) and US President Donald Trump spoke about escalation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine during their 20-minute meeting on the fringe of the G7 summit in Canada. The Chancellor subsequently wrote on an internet platform that it had been “a frank and open exchange”. He was apparently unable to extract a commitment from the US President regarding sanctions against Russia.  

“I say clearly: The pressure on Russia must be increased”, Merz reiterated after the meeting. Merz is calling for further sanctions against Russia at the G7 summit, together with other European countries, in order to weaken Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.  

The main discussion topic with Trump was the war between Israel and Iran. Merz and Trump agreed that “we really must now find ways to de-escalate the situation and bring the nuclear programme to an end”.  

Trump and the other G7 leaders have agreed on a joint statement concerning the war between Israel and Iran. The text describes Iran as “the main source of regional instability and terror” and emphasises Israel’s right to self-defence. It goes on to say that it has always been made clear to Iran that it must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.