Merz compared Russia's demands regarding Donbas to surrendering Florida to the USA: what the chancellor said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that pressure should not be applied to Ukraine during negotiations about Donbas. He compared such actions to the demand to surrender Florida to the USA. After a meeting at the White House, Merz emphasized that the Russian demand to Kyiv is akin to a proposal regarding Florida.In Merz's statement, he also mentioned the planned meeting of the presidents of Russia and Ukraine within two weeks, as well as the readiness of the USA to provide security guarantees and negotiate this with the Europeans. Donald Trump also confirmed that Putin is ready to provide security guarantees for Ukraine from the West. French President Macron also expressed a threat to Putin in case of refusal from the peace process.