German Chancellor Merz Says Putin-Zelensky Summit Won't Occur After Kyiv Attack

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that a direct meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is no longer expected, contradicting earlier agreements made between President Trump and President Putin. Merz made these comments during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing that the Ukraine conflict would remain a critical topic in upcoming cabinet-level discussions between Germany and France. This statement follows a deadly Russian attack on Kyiv that killed at least 19 people, including children, and damaged buildings housing the EU and British delegations, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemning the strikes as deliberate. The attack has been viewed as undermining any prospects for peace, with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and UK opposition leader Keir Starmer criticizing Putin's actions. Merz's remarks highlight growing skepticism among European leaders about the feasibility of a peace summit despite ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to broker such a meeting. Both Merz and Macron are prioritizing economic cooperation and efforts to reduce bureaucracy in Europe alongside addressing the ongoing war.