Janice R. Andrews
Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has accused Donald Trump of intentionally escalating a tense White House clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The confrontation, which occurred during a high-stakes Oval Office meeting last Friday, has sparked concern among Kyiv’s allies.
Trump reportedly berated Zelensky, demanding he show more gratitude for U.S. support in Ukraine’s war against Russia and urging him to “make a deal” with Moscow. Merz, leader of Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU alliance, described the exchange as a “deliberate escalation” rather than a spontaneous reaction.
Speaking at a press conference, Merz expressed astonishment at the meeting’s tone, calling it “unhelpful.” He also highlighted a “certain continuity” in U.S. rhetoric, referencing Vice President JD Vance’s recent Munich Security Conference speech, where Vance criticized European nations for not doing enough for their own security.
Merz, a long-standing trans-Atlanticist, has increasingly advocated for European independence in defense policy, particularly in light of the Trump administration’s actions. While emphasizing the need for Europe to bolster its security, he stressed the importance of maintaining U.S. involvement in the region.
A staunch supporter of Ukraine, Merz has previously endorsed sending long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv, a move opposed by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz over fears of escalating tensions with Russia. Despite this, Germany remains Ukraine’s second-largest aid provider and has welcomed over a million Ukrainian refugees since the war began.
As coalition talks continue in Germany, Merz’s comments underscore growing European concerns about U.S. leadership under Trump and the need for a stronger, more self-reliant Europe. The incident has further strained relations between Washington and Kyiv’s allies, raising questions about the future of trans-Atlantic cooperation.
