Zelensky’s visit to Trump was less successful than expected, the mayor said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (R) walks next to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz upon arrival in the garden of the chancellery in Berlin to join a video conference of European leaders with the US President on the Ukraine war ahead of the summit between the US and Russian leaders, on August 13, 2025. European leaders will hold online talks with US President Donald Trump, hoping to convince him to respect Ukraine's interests when he discusses the war with Putin in Alaska on Friday. JOHN MACDOUGALL/Pool via REUTERS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he does not consider Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s latest visit to US President Donald Trump to be as successful for Ukraine as expected.
Merz said this on Saturday, October 18, in a commentary to the German publication Bild .
According to the Chancellor, the meeting’s results fell short of Zelenskyy’s expectations, meaning Ukraine needs even broader support from Europe. Merz emphasized that ending the war is only possible with Ukraine’s military strength, and he is therefore prepared to work to increase assistance—financial, political, and military.
Merz also emphasized that Ukraine’s capitulation is not an option, as it could provoke further Russian aggression against other European countries. In his view, Moscow has not accepted the current global order and seeks to change it by force, so the West must be prepared to defend it.
Key messages:
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Zelenskyy’s visit to Trump failed to deliver concrete results.
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Germany must increase its support for Ukraine – financial, political and military.
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Merz believes that concessions or capitulation could only encourage further aggression on the part of Russia.
Merz’s remarks come amid lengthy diplomatic efforts to consolidate support for Ukraine among Western partners following talks in Washington.
The results of the Trump-Zelensky meeting were previously reported. The leaders discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, arms supplies, including Tomahawk missiles, and prospects for ending the war.
As a reminder, Trump previously avoided a direct answer to the question of whether Ukraine should cede territory to achieve peace with Russia.
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