German Chancellor Friedrich Merz conveyed to President Trump that the U.S. is in a “strong position” to halt Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump responded by suggesting that perhaps allowing the conflict to continue “for a little while” might be necessary.

Merz emphasized the U.S.’s renewed strength in influencing the war’s outcome, drawing parallels to its role in ending World War II on the anniversary of D-Day. He stated, “America is again in a very strong position to do something on this war and ending this war,” and offered Germany’s readiness to collaborate. “So let’s talk about what we can do jointly, and we are ready to do what we can.”

Merz urged increased pressure on Russia in coordination with European allies. 

Trump likened the situation to children fighting, implying it might be “too early” to intervene between Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.

“Sometimes you see two young children fighting like crazy – they hate each other, and they’re fighting in a park, and you try and pull them apart, they don’t want to be pulled,” Trump said.  “Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart.”

Trump mentioned relaying this analogy to Putin during a recent call, suggesting the Kremlin chief might need to continue fighting and suffering.

Reporters questioned Merz, a strong supporter of Trump who recently repealed Germany’s strike bans, about his agreement with Trump’s “fighting it out” approach. 

“I think we both agree on this war and how terrible this war is. And we are both looking for ways to stop it very soon,” Merz said. He clarified his position, stating, “I told the president before we came in that he is the key person in the world who can really do that now by putting pressure on Russia, and we will have this debate later on again, how we can proceed jointly between the Europeans and the Americans. 

“I think we are all… having the duty to do something on that now, to stop it after three and a half years, which is really terrible,” he added, indicating his disagreement with Trump’s stance without directly contradicting him. 

“We are on the side of Ukraine, and we are trying to get them stronger and stronger just to make Putin stop this war. This is our approach,” Merz concluded.