Merz prepared for his conversation with Trump following his spat with Zelenskyy at the White House
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is preparing for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump by analyzing his previous high-profile meetings, including his exchange with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on February 28, 2025.
He spoke about this in an interview with the German publication Der Spiegel.
Merz emphasized that this approach helps him better prepare for a difficult interlocutor in the Oval Office.
The chancellor acknowledged that governing the country during Trump’s second term is a particularly difficult task for the head of the German government. He noted that he has already had the opportunity to express his disagreement with the U.S. president regarding the war in Iran, calling it a mistake, but is trying to maintain a constructive personal relationship. Currently, according to Merz, he is managing to maintain this balance.
The German leader’s strategy is to discuss the most sensitive issues, such as Trump’s criticism of Spain or the United Kingdom, exclusively behind closed doors. Merz emphasized that public disputes in the Oval Office are pointless and only worsen the situation. He personally assured Trump of the reliability of these countries as NATO partners, stressing the importance of preserving the Alliance’s unity.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that his personal relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump remains constructive, despite differing views on the war in Iran. During a press conference in Berlin, the head of the German government emphasized the continuation of active transatlantic dialogue.
Prior to this, the German chancellor criticized U.S. policy toward Iran. He noted that Washington lacks a strategy in the ongoing war, and that the American nation has been “humiliated” by the Iranian leadership due to the failed negotiations in Islamabad.
