Hamburg: Friedrich Merz, the likely next chancellor of Germany, has criticized the heated exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, calling it a "staged escalation."
Speaking at a press conference in Hamburg on Monday, Merz suggested that the confrontation in the Oval Office was not a spontaneous dispute but rather a calculated move. "This was not merely a reaction to Zelenskyy's interventions but an orchestrated escalation," he stated. "Europe is now under immense pressure to act swiftly."
Merz’s comments come a day after European leaders, along with Canada, gathered to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine. The meeting resulted in a pledge to increase defense spending in response to Russian aggression and to continue supplying Ukraine with weapons both during the conflict and after, ensuring its long-term security.
During the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK and France would begin drafting a peace proposal. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need to bolster Europe's defense capabilities, calling for a "massive surge in defense" to secure lasting peace.
French President Emmanuel Macron proposed a temporary one-month ceasefire covering air, sea, and energy infrastructure, though ground combat would not be included initially. However, Zelenskyy dismissed any ceasefire without firm security guarantees, warning that Russia would likely violate the agreement, forcing Ukraine to respond militarily. "This would be a failure for everyone except Russia," he cautioned.
Amid these developments, the Trump administration has rejected claims that Zelenskyy was caught off guard by the White House confrontation. Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally, even suggested that the Ukrainian leader should step down.
Merz, whose Christian Democrat party secured the most votes in last month’s German elections, is expected to take office as chancellor once coalition negotiations conclude. During his campaign, he advocated for Europe to become more self-reliant, reducing its dependence on the U.S. His recent remarks indicate that he sees the current geopolitical situation as a turning point for European security strategy.
