Ukraine war briefing: Merz tells Trump Ukraine must not give up more territory
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met President Donald Trump in Washington, warning that Ukraine cannot afford further territorial losses and urging sustained Western support. The discussion also covered pressure on Russia, the status of a suspected Russian shadow‑fleet tanker seized by Belgium, and…
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to Washington for a high‑profile meeting with President Donald Trump, using the Oval Office encounter to stress that Ukraine must not be forced to surrender any additional territory. Merz, on his third visit to the United States, framed the message as a core condition for any future peace settlement, arguing that a durable agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and be backed by Europe.
Merz’s warning to Trump on Ukraine’s borders
During the briefing, Merz said, “We all want to see this war end quickly, but Ukraine has to preserve its territory and its security interests.” He displayed a map of the conflict‑torn country to illustrate front‑line changes and to underline that further concessions would embolden Moscow. Merz claimed Trump understood the point after the visual aid, and he urged the U.S. president to keep “very high” priority on delivering the munitions Ukraine needs.
Trump responded that the United States had ample stockpiles of weapons, including artillery and air‑defense systems, and that those could be redirected to Europe for Ukrainian use. He also reiterated that a negotiated settlement remained a top diplomatic goal, though he stopped short of promising a specific timeline.
Pressuring Russia and the role of Europe
Beyond the bilateral talk, Merz called for increased pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. He accused Moscow of “playing for time” and acting against the will of the American president, suggesting that coordinated sanctions and diplomatic isolation were essential to force a Russian concession.
Merz emphasized that any peace pact must have European backing. “We are not prepared to accept an agreement that is negotiated over our heads,” he told reporters, referencing ongoing trilateral talks that include the United States, Russia and Ukraine. He warned that a deal brokered without European input would likely be short‑lived and could leave Ukraine vulnerable to future aggression.
Parallel developments: Belgian seizure of a Russian tanker
While Merz and Trump discussed Ukraine, Brussels announced the seizure of the oil tanker Ethera in the North Sea. Belgian special forces impounded the vessel in Zeebrugge after discovering it was sailing under a falsified Guinean flag and had 45 technical infractions. The ship, suspected of belonging to a Russian “shadow fleet” that circumvents sanctions, is being held on a €10 million bond. Its Russian captain and 20 crew members remain aboard, awaiting compliance checks and payment of the deposit.
Russia has labeled such seizures as acts of piracy, a claim that underscores the broader tension between Western sanctions regimes and Moscow’s attempts to keep oil exports flowing despite restrictions.
U.S. drone deployment and EU‑Ukraine energy talks
In a separate but related development, the Pentagon deployed a low‑cost combat drone modeled on Iran’s Shahed system, known as the Low‑Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (Lucas). The rapid fielding—just eight months after its unveiling—reflects lessons learned from the extensive use of inexpensive unmanned aerial vehicles in the Ukraine war.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a call to discuss the Druzhba oil pipeline dispute with Hungary and Slovakia. The disagreement has stalled approval of a €90 billion EU loan package for Kyiv. Von der Leyen also mentioned broader topics such as sanctions on Russia and the impact of Middle‑East developments on energy prices and defence material availability.
What comes next?
The Merz‑Trump meeting adds another diplomatic layer to the already complex effort to end the war. If the United States follows through on its promise of “very high” priority for Ukrainian aid, Kyiv could receive additional artillery, air‑defence missiles and logistical support, potentially altering battlefield dynamics. At the same time, European leaders like Merz are likely to push for a coordinated sanctions push that would tighten economic pressure on Moscow.
On the maritime front, the fate of the Ethera will test the resolve of EU enforcement mechanisms against alleged sanction‑evasion vessels. Successful legal resolution could deter future shadow‑fleet operations, while a prolonged impasse might embolden Russia to seek alternative routes.
Finally, the ongoing EU‑Ukraine negotiations over the Druzhba pipeline and the massive loan package remain unresolved. Progress on those fronts will hinge on the ability of EU member states to reconcile national interests with the broader goal of supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and energy security.
Why it matters
The meeting highlights the delicate balance between U.S. political will, European security interests, and Ukraine's need for unwavering support as the war enters its fifth year.
Key points
- Merz warned Trump that Ukraine cannot concede more territory without jeopardising a lasting peace
- Trump said supplying munitions to Europe for Ukraine is a top priority
- Belgium seized the Russian‑linked tanker Ethera, accusing it of flag fraud and sanctions evasion
- The U.S. deployed a low‑cost combat drone reflecting lessons from the Ukraine conflict
- EU leaders continue to negotiate a €90 billion loan and resolve the Druzhba pipeline dispute
Frequently asked questions
What did Friedrich Merz tell President Trump about Ukraine?
Merz said Ukraine must not be forced to give up any more territory and urged continued Western military aid and stronger pressure on Russia.
Why was the tanker Ethera seized by Belgium?
Inspectors found it sailing under a false Guinean flag and discovered 45 technical infractions, leading authorities to suspect it was part of a Russian shadow fleet used to evade sanctions.
What is the Lucas drone and why is it significant?
The Low‑Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (Lucas) is a cheap combat drone modeled on Iran’s Shahed, deployed by the U.S. to quickly augment its arsenal after observing the effectiveness of low‑cost drones in Ukraine.
How does the Druzhba pipeline dispute affect Ukraine’s financing?
Hungary and Slovakia’s objections to the pipeline have delayed approval of a €90 billion EU loan intended to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and energy security.
