Friedrich Merz urges Donald Trump to avoid surprises in upcoming Vladimir Putin summit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has cautioned United States President Donald Trump against making unexpected concessions during an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in China.

Speaking in Dublin, Merz appealed directly to Washington to maintain close coordination with its Western partners as diplomatic engagement over the war in Ukraine intensifies. He highlighted European anxieties by noting that some officials worried the forthcoming encounter might resemble a previous high-stakes summit held in Anchorage, Alaska, which European governments had monitored closely as a critical juncture in conflict diplomacy.

Merz stressed that European allies expect the United States to act in unison with partners on the continent, asking Washington to avoid unilateral moves and to keep playing as part of both "Team Europe" and "Team Ukraine."

The German leader made his remarks amid preparations for what could become broader diplomatic talks. Earlier in the week, American and Russian envoys gathered in Abu Dhabi, opening a pathway toward deeper discussions. Merz indicated that substantive peace negotiations are projected to start within the next few weeks and are slated to include European representatives for the first time.

At the same time, the chancellor dismissed demands from Moscow that future talks focus on overhauling the broader security framework of Europe. Merz maintained that the continent's existing security arrangement, anchored by NATO, is already established. Instead, he argued that negotiations must concentrate strictly on establishing practical security guarantees for Ukraine after a peace deal is concluded, while underscoring that finalizing an end to the fighting remains the initial priority.

Merz is also advocating within the European Union for member states to solidify long-term financial commitments to Ukraine inside the bloc's budget framework. Although he reported that the initiative has found wide political support, he cautioned that a finalized consensus across the bloc is not yet close at hand.