Merkel Expresses Hope for Positive Outcome of Putin-Trump Meeting in Budapest
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sincerely hopes that the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S.
President Donald Trump, scheduled to take place at the Budapest summit, will have a positive impact and contribute to reducing tensions surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.
In an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he expressed confidence that this meeting could be seen as an opportunity to end the full-scale war in the region.
According to Merz, the White House leader understands his responsibility and is actively working on finding pathways to peace, notably through the comprehensive 20-point Gaza conflict resolution plan, which could serve as a model for peace efforts in Ukraine.
He emphasized that any positive outcome of this meeting could help alleviate the humanitarian crisis and create prerequisites for diplomatic resolution in the region.
However, during preparations for the summit in Budapest, German officials stressed that Hungary must adhere to the statutes of the International Criminal Court, as the decision regarding its withdrawal has not yet come into force, which could lead to international pressure and possible arrests, including that of Vladimir Putin.
This highlights the complexities of diplomatic processes and the importance of international law in negotiations.
Meanwhile, following Trump’s recent phone call with Putin, where they discussed the possibility of a meeting in Budapest, analysts noted that the announced plans reflect increasing diplomatic activity ahead of the summit.
As this event is expected to address global and regional issues, including the situation in Ukraine, Ukraine’s domestic politics remain a crucial factor for international partners and a key element in diplomatic signals.