Berlin – What remains of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's foreign policy show?

For one hour on Wednesday, Europe's top politicians were able to make it clear to US President Donald Trump (79) what conditions the EU and Ukraine are setting for a possible deal between Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin (72).

And Friedrich Merz was the spokesperson!

The Chancellor orchestrated a digital meeting of half of the EU with Trump. Zelenskyy flew to Berlin and met the Chancellor for lunch at the Chancellor's residence (beef cheeks and pork medallions). The Europeans demonstratively backed Ukraine during the conference call.

The Federal Chancellery as the center of world politics: Nothing less than a coup for Foreign Chancellor Merz! But what is the unity of the West really worth in the end?

“The question is whether Putin will agree to this.”

Europe's demands of Putin are: Ukrainians must be at the table in negotiations on Ukraine. A ceasefire should only be the beginning of further negotiations. And: No legal recognition of Russian occupations and robust security guarantees for Ukraine.

Security expert Peter Neumann (Professor of Security Studies at King's College London) told BILD:"The demands are good. The question is whether Putin will agree to them." Neumann fears "that Trump will back down because he wants a quick conclusion."

Europe is making it clear: If there continues to be no movement on the Russian side in Alaska, then the United States and Europe should increase the pressure."President Trump is aware of this position; he largely shares it," Merz said.

But what are Europe's means of pressure?

Nico Lange (Senior Fellow of the Munich Security Conference) is skeptical:"Unfortunately, there are no statements from the Europeans about what they are prepared to do if a ceasefire does not occur and how they would secure a ceasefire. The pressure on Putin to agree to a ceasefire has not increased today."

According to Neumann, Merz's five demands ultimately amount to the"South Korea solution": "Freezing the conflict, securing the remaining Ukraine, which can develop towards the West, for the foreseeable future (years or decades): loss of the territories conquered by Russia."

With regard to the Alaska meeting on Friday, Merz spoke only of “hope for peace in Ukraine.”

Trump threatens Putin with “very serious consequences”

At least: US President Trump threatened Russia this evening with"very serious consequences" if Putin is not prepared to make concessions and stop the war in Ukraine at the Alaska summit on Friday.

But with Trump, it's often the case"that he changes his positions quickly and often reflects on what he's recently heard," Neumann told BILD.

However, if Trump had returned to a position that would seriously defend the interests of Ukraine and the West against Putin, that would be positive.