reposting breaking news from last thread:

Merz German interview cliffnotes:
>very intensive talks
>merz thankful partners came with
>very open discussion
>real negotiations can only happen with ukraine taking part
>merz reiterates no negotiations without ceasefire
>trump paused to call putin on the phone and arranged meeting between zelenskyy and putin in the next two weeks
>place for meeting not yet clear
>trump agrees to trilat after that meeting
>no territorial concessions from ukraine; this was not talked about today either
>ukraine is sovereign and must make territorial decisions itself
>merz welcomes trump's statement re: security guarantees -- these will happen if peace happens
>long and intensive discussion on security guarantees. outcome is that US agrees to security guarantees coordinated with EU
>zele and trump are cool with each other
>tomorrow video conference of coalition of the willing (32 states)
>also tomorrow: special EU consultation on this
>european leaders 'spoke with one voice'
>merz wasn't sure today would go like this, but it went better than he had hoped
>trump open to humanitarian questions (abducted children)

regarding sending troops to ukraine:
>must still be coordinated between European partners and US. all of Europe should participate. it's not just about the territory of UA, but the political order of Europe. Germany has high interest & high responsibility. to which extent must be discussed with partners and the govt. coalition in Berlin too -- up to mandate obligation (annotation: required for boots on the ground, that's what he's talking).