Merz urges Trump to include Europe in Putin peace talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged US President Donald Trump to avoid surprises in upcoming peace talks with Vladimir Putin, warning against a repeat of the failed Anchorage summit. Merz called on Washington to act as part of the "Europe team" and "Ukraine team." Merz expressed European fears that Trump's meeting with Putin in China could become a "second Anchorage moment," referring to a previous summit that failed to advance peace efforts. He emphasized that substantive negotiations should begin in coming weeks, with Europe participating for the first time following US-Russia-Ukraine meetings in Abu Dhabi. Merz rejected Russian attempts to place European security architecture at the center of talks, stating NATO already provides this framework. He stressed that future discussions must focus on guaranteeing Ukraine's security after peace is achieved, though peace must first be reached.