Friedrich Merz met in a White House with Donald Trump. The US president announced that he intends to leave American troops in Germany. The German Chancellor gave Trump a unique gift.
Key facts:
- The American president's meeting with the German chancellor mainly concerned war in Ukraine, possible sanctions against Russia, as well as other security issues.
- Trump declared that he would leave American soldiers stationed in Germany.
- The declaration was made despite earlier signals from the administration that the US would reduce their presence in Europe.
Asked by a German journalist about whether he would leave American soldiers arranged in GermanyDonald Trump replied: – The answer is yes. We will talk about it, but if they would like to have them there, yes. We have a lot of them, about 45,000 soldiers. This is the whole city if you think about it. This is a good economic development. They are well -paid soldiers and spend a lot of money in Germany.
“But relationships with Germany are very important, so yes, we'll do it without a problem,” he added. The US President estimated that it was good, that Germany began to spend more on their defense, although he joked that – in his opinion – General Douglas Macarthur would not agree with that, who warned after the Second World War before the Germans permission to reinforce the Germans.
Trump about “amazing hatred” between Zelanski and Putin
Speaking of Ukraine, Trump estimated that in the near future there would be no end to the war of this country with Russia. In his opinion, this will happen because of the “amazing hatred” between the leaders, Volodymyr Zelnski and Vladimir Putin, and the states themselves. When asked if he would realize his repeatedly renewed threats of imposing sanctions on Russia, Trump announced that he would do it when he would think that the war could not be stopped. He assured that he would be “very, very hard”. Trump emphasized that the border date to which Moscow's agreement with Kiev must be developed, exists “in his mind”. He noted, however, that the consequences of his “hard” actions can be felt not only by Russia.
– To be honest, this may apply to both countries (also Ukraine – ed.). You know, you need two to tango, so we'll be very hard – whether it is about Russia or anyone else – he added.
When asked about the attitude towards the law on sanctions for Russia, the Trump admitted that he had not read it in a detailed way. At the same time, he assured that Congress would be guided by his will. He also assessed that this is a “strict act”.
“You shouldn't do it”
Trump said that during his Wednesday conversation with Vladimir Putin he compared the situation between Russia and Ukraine to two children, “beating like crazy”. – They hate each other and fight, and you try to separate them. They do not want to be separated and sometimes it is better to let them fight for a while and then separate them. And yesterday I gave this analogy to Putin – reported Trump. He also said that he asked the Russian leader not to retaliate for the Ukrainian attack on Russian airlines.
At the same time, he admitted that he was expecting more fights. – He (Putin) attacked. And they (Ukrainians too) attacked quite sharply. They entered Russia deeply. He (Putin) said: “We have no other choice but to attack” and, taking this into account, it probably will not be pleasant – said the American president. – I don't like it. I told him, “Don't do it.” You shouldn't do this. You should stop it. But again: there is a lot of hatred – described Trump.
Merz informed that he intends to discuss what the West can do in an interview with Trump to lead to the end of the war of Moscow with Kiev – including the use of sanctions. The Chancellor recalled about the Friday anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy and emphasized that – like then – as then – United States They have a great chance to end the war in Europe. Trump replied that landing in Normandy “was not a good day for you (Germans).” Merz admitted that yes, but in the long run it was good for his country, because the United States liberated the Germans from the Nazi power.
The head of government in Berlin said that Trump is the only man on earth who can lead to the end of the war, exerting more emphasis on Russia. The German chancellor also reminded that – unlike Russia – Ukraine does not attack civilians and added that he, for his part, is clearly on the side of Kiev. When asked about support for Ukraine, Trump replied that “he is with Ukraine”. He also mentioned the American-Ukrainian mineral agreement, but added immediately after that his main goal is to end the war.
Trump argued that Putin was not his friend – and that he had no friends at all, he also said that he was “hard” towards Russia. He referred to sanctions against Nord Stream gas pipeline 2imposed by him during the first presidential term (2017-21).
At one point, the German chancellor interjected that Nord Stream was “a mistake”. – It was a mistake because I said Angela (Merkel – ed.) – he added.
An unusual gift from the German chancellor for Trump
Merz's Thursday visit was his first visit to the White House from taking power. The Chancellor emphasized, however, that for the first time in his life he visited the White House in 1982 during the rule of Ronald Reagan.
At the beginning of the meeting, Merz handed Trump to the Golden Frame of the birth certificate of Grandfather Trump, Friedrich, who emigrated to the USA from Germany at the end of the 19th century.
Author/author: AKR, MJZ/LULU
Source: tvn24.pl, PAP
Source of the main photo: PAP/EPA/Chris Kleponis/Pool