German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announces plans for European leaders to engage with Donald Trump prior to his call with Vladimir Putin. This push follows unsuccessful Russia-Ukraine negotiations. The discussions, facilitated by Merz and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlight ongoing diplomatic efforts amid Ukraine's defense and escalating drone strikes. The recent talks in Istanbul, which included agreeing to swap prisoners, saw Ukrainian resistance to Russian conditions surrounding military withdrawals from contentious regions, all underscoring the fragility of the situation.
In remarks to reporters on Sunday, Merz said he discussed the issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio while the two men were attending the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican.
Trump said he planned to speak to Putin and Zelenskyy to discuss ways to stop the war's bloodbath. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed preparations were under way.
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