U.S. President Donald Trump offered to increase supplies of American energy exports to Berlin but did not pledge additional military support to Ukraine or sanctions on Russia in a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on June 5.

The meeting was Merz's first visit to the White House since becoming chancellor.

When asked whether Trump would impose additional sanctions on Russia, the president dodged the question by boasting that he "ended Nord Stream 2" and hinting at future energy deals with Germany.

"We have so much oil and gas, you will not be able to buy it all. ... I hope we'll be able to make that part of our trade deal," Trump said during a joint press conference with Merz.  

While Merz spoke of a "duty" to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, Trump did not make any commitments to further military aid for Kyiv. In the same press conference, he compared Russia and Ukraine to fighting children and refused to name a deadline for imposing sanctions on Moscow.

Merz nonetheless praised Trump's role as a peacemaker between the two nations.

"I told the president before we came in: He is the key person in the world who can really (end the war) by putting pressure on Russia."

‘Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight,’ Trump says on Russia-Ukraine war

President Donald Trump likened the war between Russia and Ukraine to a fight between two children in a park, suggesting it might be better to let them clash for a while before stepping in, given the depth of animosity between them.

The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova

Trump has frequently brought up Europe's reliance on Russian energy when questioned about Washington's role in pressuring the Kremlin or supporting Ukraine.

Nord Stream 1 and 2 are gas pipelines running between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream 2 has never been activated, and the pipes shut down after suspected sabotage in 2022.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed in March that discussions were underway with the U.S. to resume gas flows through the pipelines. Trump has pursued warmer relations and stronger economic ties with Moscow since his inauguration in January 2025.

Merz said on May 28 that the German government will "do everything to ensure that Nord Stream 2 cannot be put back into operation," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28.

The leaders' discussion on June 6 focused primarily on Russia's war against Ukraine, NATO, and trade policy, Merz said in Berlin the day after the meeting. Merz insisted that Trump remains committed to NATO, despite the U.S. president's history of disparaging the alliance.

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The Kyiv IndependentLuca Léry Moffat

U.S. President Donald Trump said on June 5 that it might be best not to intervene in Russia’s war against Ukraine for now, speaking during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House.

The U.S. president, who has repeatedly claimed he alone can resolve the war, appeared to walk back that promise amid stalled negotiations, rising casualties from Russian drone strikes, and no signs of compromise from either side.

Kyiv has repeatedly urged Russia to accept a Western-backed 30-day ceasefire as the first step toward a broader peace deal — a move that Moscow again rejected during a recent round of negotiations in Istanbul on June 2.

"Sometimes you see two young children fighting like crazy,” Trump said. “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. Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart."

Trump said he used the same comparison during a 75-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before, casting himself not as a direct participant but as a referee observing the conflict.

"You see it in hockey. You see it in sports. The referees let them go for a couple of seconds," he said. "Let them go for a little while before you pull them apart."

Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions on Russia if he does not see progress in peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. While he did not name a specific date, he added, "Yes, it's in my brain the deadline."

Calling Ukraine "the apple of Putin’s eye," Trump claimed the Russian leader wants to take control of the entire country. Following a reported Ukrainian drone strike on Russian aircraft, Trump said Putin now plans to retaliate.

Ukraine on June 1 launched a game-changing drone attack on four key Russian military airfields, damaging 41 planes, including heavy bombers and rare A-50 spy planes. Kyiv has claimed it had disabled 34% of Russia's strategic bomber fleet in what is seen as one of the most daring operations during the full-scale war.

The operation, dubbed Spiderweb, took 18 months to plan and was overseen directly by President Volodymyr Zelensky and carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The SBU said 117 drones, launched from concealed trucks positioned across Russian territory, simultaneously struck airfields in at least four regions — including sites thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

"They went deep into Russia and (Putin) actually told me we have no choice but to attack based on that, and it's probably not going to be pretty," Trump said. "I don't like it, I said don't do it, you shouldn't do it, you should stop it," he added.

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The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova

A German official has called on the European Union to take a "closer look" at the issue of frozen Russian assets and using them to support Ukraine, stressing the need to take a harder stance against the Kremlin.

Thorsten Frei, Head of the German Chancellery, stated in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung on May 31 that the EU should "take a much closer look at the issue of Russian state funds than we have so far."

He also urged the EU to take a more assertive position against Moscow, adding that "we must not allow the game that Russia is playing with us to go unchallenged."

The question of frozen Russian assets, and what to do with them, has been discussed by the EU and other Western countries since the start of the full-scale invasion. Recently, the Group of Seven – including Germany – pledged to keep Russian assets frozen until the end of the war.

Frei's comments suggest that Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz may be open to the idea of seizing the approximately €200 billion ($227 billion) in Russian state assets in the EU.

Frei also mentioned the 18th package of EU sanctions currently under preparation, citing them as an example of tougher measures against Russia. According to Frei, the upcoming sanctions are a response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to comply with demands for a ceasefire.

"Measures are being prepared that are tougher than before, and which some European states have therefore shied away from so far," Frei said, stressing that the sanctions package will have "far-reaching punitive measures."

Frei added that the sanctions package will target Russia's shadow fleet, energy sector, financial sector, and Nord Stream pipelines.

"If you want to achieve a ceasefire by peaceful means, then your tools are limited," Frei said. "That is why I am very much in favor of using the tools at your disposal."

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The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that Germany could supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus cruise missiles, marking a potential shift from his predecessor’s stance on the weapons system.

Speaking to ZDF television following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Merz described the missile transfer as being “within the realm of possibility” when directly questioned about potential deliveries.

However, the chancellor outlined practical constraints that could delay any such transfer. According to Merz, the Taurus system requires several months of training for Ukrainian forces before deployment. He argued that weapons deliveries taking six months to a year “would not be useful for Ukraine today,” emphasizing the need for immediate military support.

Merz noted that Germany coordinates its weapons deliveries with European partners, several of whom have already provided Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. The chancellor’s remarks suggest Germany may be moving toward alignment with allies who have already crossed the threshold on advanced weapons transfers.

After Merz became the Chancellor, Germany also lifted previous restrictions on the range of weapons it supplies to Ukraine, allowing Kyiv to strike military targets deep inside Russia alongside allies.

Additionally, Germany announced a new military aid package worth 5 billion euros for Ukraine that includes an agreement between Berlin and Kyiv for financing Ukrainian-produced long-range weapons systems, air defense, and other military support.

A poll conducted in November 2024 for Germany’s ARD TV channel showed that 61% of Germans oppose supplying Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, while nearly a third support the idea. Regional differences are significant, with opposition strongest in eastern Germany (76%) compared to the west (56%), where support is also higher (34% vs. 19%). 

Merz has also repeatedly called on President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine and emphasized that the next move is up to Russia.

“It is in their hands, only in their hands, to end the war immediately,” he said. “What more can we do? Only Russia can end this war—by stopping the fighting,” he added. 

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28 that a potential delivery of Taurus cruise missiles for Ukraine is not being ruled out.

"Of course, that's within the realm of possibility," Merz said on air on ZDF TV channel when asked about the possibility of Taurus deliveries for Kyiv.

The chancellor nevertheless emphasized that using the missiles would require a lengthy training period, potentially taking "several months of training for soldiers in Ukraine."

The comments come after Merz hosted President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin on May 28. During the visit, the German government announced 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in new military assistance and financial support for the Ukrainian long-range missiles program.

Merz made no new announcements about a delivery of Taurus missiles. Zelensky's visit was accompanied by fresh speculations about a possible policy reversal, as Merz declared earlier this week that Germany and other Western partners have lifted all range restrictions on arms provided to Kyiv.

The chancellor later clarified he was referring to a decision made "many months ago."

Talking to ZDF, Merz said that a delivery within six months or a year would be of no use to Ukraine today, which is why Berlin is focusing on improving Ukraine's current military position.

Before becoming chancellor, Merz, elected for the CDU/CSU conservative alliance, signaled he would overturn the ban of his predecessor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, on delivering Taurus to Ukraine.

The Taurus is a powerful cruise missile capable of striking targets at a distance of 500 kilometers (300 miles), more than the long-range capabilities Ukraine received from other partners.

Ukraine has been using U.S.-made ATACMS for over a year, and U.K.-French Storm Shadow/SCALP for more than two, initially being allowed to deploy them only against Russian targets on Ukrainian territory.

Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

In range, speed, and payload, Taurus much resembles the Storm Shadow, which is made by Taurus’ manufacturer, MBDA’s French affiliate. The primary distinction for Taurus is in the design of the actual warhead — Taurus can be programmed to explode after hitting a specific target, such as a bunker.

Germany to help finance Ukrainian-made long-range systems

Germany and Ukraine will sign a memorandum on the joint purchase of “long-range fires” manufactured by Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on May 28.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Editor's note: The story was updated to reflect comments made by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Germany has unveiled a military aid package for Ukraine worth 5 billion euros ($5.65 billion), the country's Defense Ministry said in a statement on May 28 after Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Berlin.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov signed the accord in Berlin's Bendlerblock, the headquarters of the German Defense Ministry. The agreement includes direct German investments in Ukraine's defense industry and a broader treaty between Kyiv and German arms manufacturers.

Under the new agreement, Germany will help fund the production of long-range weapons systems inside Ukraine — tapping into the country's existing industrial capacities and technical expertise, the statement read.

German Defense Ministry said a significant number of these systems are expected to be manufactured by the end of 2025, with the first batch ready for deployment in the coming weeks. Since these systems are already in service with the Ukrainian military, no additional training is needed for their use.

Berlin also reaffirmed its commitment to supply Ukraine with critical ammunition and weapons. The arms heading Kyiv's way include air defense systems, artillery, systems of land weapons and handguns. No Taurus missiles were publicly announced as part of the package.

"Germany has committed to supporting investment in the Ukrainian defense industry and encouraging others to do the same, particularly in the area of air defense," Umerov said on social media after the agreement was announced. "Sincere thanks to our partners for their leadership and consistent support of Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression."

The meeting between Merz and Zelensky in Berlin was preceded by speculation that Germany would finally reverse its long-held policy of not sending Taurus missiles to Kyiv over fears of escalating the war against Russia.

Before becoming chancellor, Merz, elected for the CDU/CSU conservative alliance, signaled he would overturn a ban imposed by his predecessor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz.

Ukraine has been using U.S.-made ATACMS for over a year, and U.K.-French Storm Shadows for more than two.

Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

In range, speed, and payload, Taurus much resembles the Storm Shadow, which is made by Taurus’ manufacturer, MBDA’s French affiliate.

The primary distinction for Taurus is in the design of the actual warhead — Taurus can be programmed to explode after hitting a specific target, such as a bunker.

The missile can penetrate and actually count layers before the final explosion, maximizing damage.

Taurus would represent a major upgrade to Ukraine’s deep-strike firepower, primarily because it can blast through denser Russian fortifications. It would also help in Ukraine's years-long quest to take down the Crimean Bridge.

As part of the new agreement, the two nations have also agreed to establish repair facilities in Ukraine to improve the sustainability of its armed forces. Defense firms from both countries are expected to form joint ventures to manage these operations.

Berlin will also continue funding satellite communications and military leadership communication systems, extending a commitment first made in April. Additional medical aid, including equipment produced in Ukraine, will be financed as part of the agreement.

If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem

A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles. “There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine — neither by the U.

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

The German government will "do everything to ensure that Nord Stream 2 cannot be put back into operation," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28.

Speaking during a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin, Merz vowed to "further increase the pressure on Russia" as Moscow intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Kyiv's European partners have pledged to ramp up economic pressure on Russia as it continues to reject a ceasefire. Though no step has been taken so far, Zelensky hinted on May 27 that the EU's upcoming 18th package could have a significant impact on the Russian economy.

According to earlier reporting, the upcoming package could include a complete ban on restarting Nord Stream pipelines and new banking sanctions.

The goal of the sanctions must be to "weaken Moscow's war machine," Merz added.

Nord Stream 1 and 2 are gas pipelines running between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream 2 has never been activated, and the pipes shut down after suspected sabotage in 2022.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed in March that discussions were underway with the United States to resume gas flows through the pipelines.

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The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell

Germany and Ukraine will sign a memorandum on the joint purchase of "long-range fires" made by Ukrainian producers, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on May 28.

Berlin will also help finance the operations of Starlink in Ukraine, a U.S. satellite communications system crucial for the Ukrainian military, Merz added.

"There will be no restrictions on long-range weapons, Ukraine will be able to fully defend itself and also strike military targets outside the territory of Ukraine," Merz said alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky during a joint press conference in Berlin.

"This is the beginning of a new form of military-industrial cooperation between our countries, which has significant potential." He added that the production itself can take place either in Ukraine or Germany.

The meeting between Merz and Zelensky was preceded by speculation that Germany would finally reverse its long-held policy of not sending Taurus missiles to Kyiv over fears of escalating the war against Russia.

Speaking at the conference, Merz evaded answering a direct question about potential Taurus deliveries and refused to discuss military support for Ukraine in detail.

"We will continue our military support and expand it," Merz said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the chancellor's statements a "provocation" and suggested it may hinder peace efforts.

Moscow has repeatedly rejected calls by Kyiv and its Western partners for a ceasefire and only intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Before becoming chancellor, Merz, elected for the CDU/CSU conservative alliance, signaled he would overturn a ban on Taurus deliveries imposed by his predecessor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz.

Ukraine has been using U.S.-made ATACMS for over a year, and U.K.-French Storm Shadows for more than two.

Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

With Western arms running thin, Ukraine has sought to develop its own long-range weapons, including ballistic missiles and drone-missile hybrids.

If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem

A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles. “There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine — neither by the U.

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

Editor's note: The story was updated with recent developments.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on May 28 for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as Germany seeks to project continued support for Kyiv in the face of Russian aggression.

The two leaders will discuss Germany's military assistance and ceasefire efforts, a German government spokesperson said. Zelensky is also expected to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Zelensky was welcomed by Merz shortly after his arrival, with the Ukrainian delegation also including Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and other aides.

The visit comes amid renewed speculation of a potential delivery of Taurus missiles, Germany's cruise missiles capable of striking targets at a distance of 500 kilometers (300 miles).

Before becoming chancellor, Merz, elected for the CDU/CSU conservative alliance, signaled he would overturn his predecessor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz's, ban on delivering the missiles to Ukraine.

Kyiv has called upon Germany to provide the weapons to be able to strike targets deep inside the Russian rear, while Scholz has ruled out the move due to fears of escalation.

Merz is yet to greenlight the deliveries, as a change of policy on Taurus missiles has become a point of contention between the CDU/CSU and their Social Democratic (SPD) coalition partners.

Adding to the confusion, the German chancellor declared earlier this week that Berlin and other Western partners have lifted all range restrictions on arms provided to Ukraine, which some saw as a signal of an incoming change of policy on Taurus missiles.

Merz later clarified he was referring to a step made months ago, and German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil confirmed that the new government has made no new decision in this regard.

Earlier in May, the German government announced that it would no longer publish arms it had delivered to Ukraine, meaning that a potential supply of Taurus missiles may not be announced to the public.

Speaking to journalists in Kyiv on May 27, Zelensky said he would discuss the issue of long-range arms for Ukraine with Merz, adding he has not heard any signals about a change in policy.

Ukraine has previously received long-range missiles from the U.S., the U.K., and France — including ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and SCALP — but was initially permitted to deploy them only against Russian military forces in occupied Ukrainian territories.

Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

Germany has been Ukraine's leading military donor on the continent, and its support is even more crucial for Kyiv now as U.S. backing grows increasingly uncertain under President Donald Trump.

Merz has repeatedly called for a united European response to unrelenting Russian aggression in Ukraine and pledged to impose tougher sanctions if Moscow continues to reject a ceasefire.

If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem

A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles. “There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine — neither by the U.

The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post

On 26 May, German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said there is “no new agreement” on lifting range restrictions for German-supplied weapons to Ukraine, directly contradicting a statement made earlier the same day by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

According to German broadcaster NTV, Klingbeil, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), made the comment in response to a question at a press conference in Berlin, saying:

“On the issue of range, let me just say, there is no new agreement that goes beyond what the previous government did.”

The SPD is also the party of former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who throuout his time in office feared “escalation” with Russia, consistently refused to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, and was cautious about the use of Western weapons against Russian territory.

NTV notes that Merz’s move does not appear to have been coordinated with Vice Chancellor Klingbeil, raising uncertainty over whether his statements reflect an actual policy change or merely reference the use of Western missiles against Russian territory that has been occurring since last fall.

Merz claims Ukraine can now strike Russia with Western arms

NTV reported that Klingbeil’s remark followed a statement by Chancellor Merz at the WDR Europaforum 2025 in Berlin, where Merz declared that there were “no longer any range restrictions” for weapons delivered to Ukraine — neither from Germany, nor from France, the United Kingdom, nor the United States.

Later that afternoon, Merz posted on X:

“We will do everything in our power to continue supporting Ukraine. This also means no more range restrictions on the weapons we deliver. Ukraine can now also defend itself by striking military positions in Russia.”

According to NTV, Merz also claimed that the policy change was part of discussions held with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during their joint visit to Kyiv two weeks earlier. He said:

 “This means that Ukraine can now also defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia, for example,” said Merz. Until recently, Ukraine had not been able to do this, or only in a few exceptional cases, but “now it can.”

NTV noted that while Merz had previously spoken in favor of sending Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, he made no comment on that system during his latest statement.

The current German government, led by Merz, has stated it will no longer provide specific information on what weapons are being supplied to Ukraine.

Russian threats

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticized Merz’s statement. In an interview, cited by NTV, Peskov said:

“If these decisions have indeed been made, they are in stark contradiction to our efforts to find a political solution,” he said, calling Merz’s statement “a rather dangerous decision.”

Reactions inside Germany

German politician Ralf Stegner (SPD) stated that while individual exceptions to range restrictions might be reasonable, Merz’s overall statement was “not helpful,” adding: “I believe everything that escalates the war is wrong.” 

Sören Pellmann, leader of the Left Party faction, called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “a terrible crime,” but said: “The delivery of more and more, and heavier and heavier weapons has not ended the war,” also warning against “escalation.”

By contrast, Agnieszka Brugger, deputy leader of the Greens’ parliamentary group, welcomed Merz’s statement, calling it “logical and long overdue.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced a tougher stance against Hungary and Slovakia over their continued obstruction of EU sanctions targeting Russia, German TV channel NTV reported. Actions against them can include withdrawal of EU funds from the countries.

Speaking at the WDR-Europaforum on 26 May, Merz said, referring to the restraining role of both states in the EU sanctions against Russia:

“We will not be able to avoid a conflict with Hungary and Slovakia if this course continues.”

He emphasized that both governments represent only a “small minority” among the 27 EU member states, yet have used their veto powers to block or weaken sanctions.

“We cannot allow the decisions of the entire European Union to depend on a small minority,” Merz stated.

Pressure tools within the EU

According to the German chancellor, the EU has a range of instruments it can apply to increase pressure on the pro-Russian governments of Slovakia and Hungary. Among them are infringement proceedings for violations of rule-of-law obligations and the possible suspension of EU funding for Budapest and Bratislava.

“But there is always the option of withdrawing European funds from them,” Merz said, referencing legal mechanisms available under EU treaties. While he added that he does not seek conflict, he made it clear: “If it is necessary, then we will deal with them.”

Merz had spoken directly with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the previous week.