Today at 20:03
Following the exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called opposition leader Friedrich Merz — who is currently negotiating to form a government under his leadership — to discuss the situation surrounding Ukraine.
That’s according to Suddeutsche Zeitung, Ukrinform reports.
On Friday evening, Scholz called his potential successor, Merz, to discuss the scandal at the White House and its consequences, the report said.
The dramatic turn of events has now changed the situation, requiring Merz to engage more deeply in international affairs than is typical for an incoming chancellor.
Earlier in the day, German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit stated that during the transition period, joint international engagements for both politicians — such as the March 2 meeting in London, which Scholz will attend — are not planned. So far, Scholz and Merz last met in Berlin on Tuesday, February 25.
Both politicians had reacted to the Washington events on social media. Scholz wrote, “Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do. Therefore we are working on a common path to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe.” Meanwhile, Merz assured Zelenskyy of Germany’s support for Ukraine “in good and in testing times.”
