Interviewed on ARD TV after his meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on June 5, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he had emphasized in the internal discussion over lunch that Trump now had a special responsibility to contribute to a “peace solution” for Ukraine. However, he added, his view is that Russia can only be moved by “strength,” and the strengthening of Ukraine’s defense readiness is therefore essential. He claimed that Trump had understood his message—a rather transparent call for the U.S. to continue to fully fund the Ukraine war—but did not give further details.