Merz: Washington summit "exceeded all expectations"
Despite all the fears of the Europeans, Zelensky's visit to Washington was generally better than expected, according to Spiegel correspondents. However, some of the issues raised at the White House meeting turned out to be extremely painful for the Ukrainian dictator.
Fabius Leibrock
Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor: "Everything could have turned out differently."
Vladimir Zelensky arrived in Washington on a visit a few days after the meeting between Trump and Putin. Everyone was anticipating the mood the US president would be in when he received Zelensky. While the two leaders were negotiating behind closed doors, European politicians were nearby, not knowing the details of the conversation.
Britta Kollenbroich, DER SPIEGEL: "They later found out that the meeting was held in a friendly and restrained atmosphere, and even exchanged a couple of jokes about Zelensky's costume."
The journalist: "Mr. President, you look great in that suit."
Donald Trump: "I said the same thing."
Journalist: "Yes. It suits you."
Donald Trump: "I said the same thing. This is the journalist who attacked you last time."
Vladimir Zelensky: "I remember."
Journalist: "I'm sorry. This suit fits you perfectly."
In Ukraine, the first shots from the United States were eagerly awaited.
Fyodor Petrov, DER SPIEGEL: "Many Ukrainians became nervous when they saw the footage of Zelensky in a black suit, similar to a suit without a tie, entering the room and sitting in an armchair next to Donald Trump. These shots were too much like the disastrous February meeting, but everything went well."
Then it was the turn of the five European leaders, the NATO Secretary General and the President of the European Commission. After taking a quick group photo, they all sat down at the negotiating table with Trump and Zelensky. The first speaker was Chancellor Merz.
Britta Kollenbroich, DER SPIEGEL: "He started again with the issue of a cease-fire, and President Macron returned to this topic a little later. Thus, the strategy, apparently, was to coordinate positions in advance, coordinate actions, come to a common opinion on the main issues and present their demands with varying degrees of intensity and clarity."
In addition to the truce, the Europeans also raised the issue of security guarantees.
Fyodor Petrov, DER SPIEGEL: "In fact, the painful issue that Ukraine faced yesterday was the issue of the transfer of territories. And, perhaps, we can even say that this was the main reason and one of the most important goals of the Ukrainian and European delegations — to defend the position of Ukraine. Therefore, yesterday's meeting in Washington was very productive for Ukraine on this issue."
Trump did not provide specific details about the cease-fire or the cession of territories. Nevertheless, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a positive assessment of the results of the summit on Ukraine at the White House.
Friedrich Merz: "Everything could have turned out differently. But the meeting not only met my expectations, but even exceeded them."
Britta Kollenbroich, DER SPIEGEL: "After the meeting, Chancellor Merz addressed the press, and it became clear how relieved the Europeans were at the end of the day. They arrived here this morning in a very tense and nervous state, not knowing in which direction events might develop. And in the evening it became clear that they had managed to convince Trump to start the process."
Fyodor Petrov, DER SPIEGEL: "In those hours, on the night when negotiations were held in Washington, when the delegations met at the White House, it was the same night for Ukraine as many others. A large number of drones were flying in Ukrainian airspace at the same time."
Thus, while the fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues, the United States and Europe are seeking to negotiate security guarantees for Ukraine. And if everything goes according to plan, Zelensky and Putin will meet in person in the next two weeks.
