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European Leaders to Speak With Trump Before Putin Call, Merz Says

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (not pictured) at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2025. Remo Casilli / Reuters

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday that he, along with the leaders of Britain, France and Poland, aimed to speak with Donald Trump ahead of the U.S. president’s planned call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

Merz said he had discussed the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio while the two men were attending the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican. Merz said he also spoke at length at the Vatican with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I spoke with Marco Rubio, including about the call tomorrow. We agreed that we will speak again with the four state leaders and the U.S. president in preparation of this conversation (with Putin),” Merz told reporters.

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