Merz Thanks Trump for Mediation Efforts Following Call with Zelenskyy

BERLIN – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for his mediation efforts in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, following a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday. The conversation came a day after U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for three hours.

Merz confirmed the discussion in a post on X, stating: “I spoke with President Zelenskyy about the (Wednesday) meeting between US Special Envoy (Steve) Witkoff and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin. We are both grateful to the American president for his mediation efforts and are in close contact with the United States and our European partners.”

According to German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, both leaders reviewed the latest diplomatic developments and emphasized the need for Russia to end the conflict. Kornelius added that the chancellor reaffirmed Germany’s ongoing support for Ukraine and committed to maintaining coordination with Washington and European allies. A meeting between Trump and Putin is reportedly expected “in the coming days.”