German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived Thursday in Washington to meet with President Donald Trump in person for the first time at the White House. The topics of discussion ranged from tariffs and trade to Russia’s war on Ukraine and the state of the Middle East.

Before their meeting, Merz had said that he was looking forward to his first face-to-face meeting with Trump after the two have previously spoken over the phone, writing on X: “Our alliance with America was, is, and remains of paramount importance for the security, freedom, and prosperity of Europe. The United States is an indispensable friend and partner of German.”

Trump said that Merz is a “very good man” to deal with, telling reporters in the Oval Office that “all we want is a very good relationship,” adding that the Chancellor is “difficult”, but later joking that Merz “wouldn’t want him to say he’s easy … We’ll have a good trade deal … you’re a very big part of that,”

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Merz told Trump he wants more pressure on Russia to end the war, telling him the US is in a strong position to bring the war to an end; meanwhile, Trump says he spoke to Putin on the phone, referring to the two leaders as “two children fighting in a park”.

Per UPI: Germany announced last week it will provide a nearly $5.7 billion military aid package to Ukraine that will finance long-range weapons to be produced by Ukraine, which Merz announced can be deployed by the Ukrainian military for use inside the borders of Russia. Trump, meanwhile, ordered a pause on military aid to Ukraine in March shortly after his meeting with Zelensky in February.

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