Friedrich Merz urged Vladimir Putin to accept talks with Donald Trump in Alaska to discuss Ukraine and the ceasefire.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has underlined the importance of negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, which will take place on August 15 in Alaska. Merz stressed that Russia now has the opportunity to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine, and any further talks must include Ukrainian representatives. He noted that territorial issues must be resolved with Ukraine's consent and that he would keep in touch with Trump on the issue. This will be the first meeting between the two leaders since the Russian invasion in 2022.