Headlines
Merz says he urged trump to increase pressure on putin
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 3, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 3, 2026
Quick Summary
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said after meeting U.S. President Donald Trump on March 3 that he urged Trump to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin amid ongoing trilateral U.S.–Russia–Ukraine peace talks. Merz emphasized that any lasting agreement must also be backed by Europe.
Merz Presses Trump to Step Up Pressure on Putin in Ukraine Conflict Talks
Chancellor Merz's Call for Increased Pressure on Russia
Merz's Meeting with President Trump
WASHINGTON, March 3 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking after a meeting with Donald Trump on Tuesday, said he had urged the president to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.
Merz's Statement on Russia's Tactics
"Russia is playing for time here, and in doing so is also acting against the will of the American president. In today's talks, I called for increasing the pressure on Moscow," he told reporters.
Trilateral Peace Talks and Europe's Role
The United States, Russia and Ukraine are taking part in trilateral talks aimed at securing a peace deal. Merz though said only a pact supported by Europe could be lasting.
Europe's Stance on Peace Agreements
Merz's Warning Against Exclusion
"We are not prepared to accept an agreement that is negotiated over our heads," he said.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Andreas Rinke, writing by David Ljunggren; Editing by Daphne Psaledakis)
Key Takeaways
- •Merz pressed Trump to ramp up pressure on Russia, warning that Moscow is exploiting time—and acting contrary to U.S. goals.
- •He highlighted Europe’s critical role, insisting a lasting peace deal cannot be struck without European involvement.
- •The meeting occurs against the backdrop of trilateral U.S.–Russia–Ukraine peace negotiations, underlining tensions over how European interests are represented in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Merz says he urged Trump to increase pressure on Putin
1What did Merz ask Trump during their meeting?
Merz urged Trump to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.
2What is Merz's position on a Ukraine peace deal?
Merz stated that only a pact supported by Europe could be lasting and rejected any agreement made without Europe's involvement.
3Which countries are involved in the trilateral talks on Ukraine?
The United States, Russia, and Ukraine are taking part in the trilateral talks aimed at securing a peace deal.
4Why does Merz believe Russia is 'playing for time'?
Merz believes Russia is delaying to act against the will of the American president and potentially prolong the conflict.
