German leader urges more pressure on Russia in meeting with Trump

June 06, 2025 (MLN): Germany’s newly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House today, marking his first official visit to Washington since assuming leadership of Europe’s largest economy last month.

During their Oval Office meeting, Chancellor Merz emphasized Berlin’s stance on the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, stating, “We are on Ukraine’s side,” in reference to Kyiv’s war with Russia, as BBC reported.

His remarks reinforced Germany’s continued alignment with Western allies on the Ukraine issue. President Trump, known for his unfiltered commentary, downplayed the severity of the war, likening it to “two children fighting in a park.”

The comparison drew visible surprise from several attending aides and reporters. In the same briefing, Trump lauded his recently signed travel ban, saying it “couldn’t come soon enough,” and pressed Congress to pass what he called his “big beautiful” spending bill.

He positioned the legislation as a cornerstone of his economic and national security agenda. However, the bill has sparked controversy in tech and political circles, with billionaire and former White House adviser Elon Musk publicly criticizing the proposal.

“Whatever... Either you get a big and ugly bill or a slim and beautiful bill,” Musk posted on his platform X, in what appeared to be a veiled jab at the administration’s approach to fiscal policy.

Trump responded to the backlash by saying he was “surprised” at Musk’s comments but stopped short of further elaboration.

The meeting concluded without a joint press conference, though sources suggest both leaders discussed broader issues including transatlantic trade, NATO commitments, and AI regulation.

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