PREVIEW

Merz Dashes Hopes of Putin-Zelensky Peace Talks. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out a direct meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. Merz spoke ahead of a dinner with France’s Emmanuel Macron at the French leader’s summer residence. The announcement contradicts claims by Donald Trump that he arranged a Putin-Zelensky summit. Moscow later downplayed expectations that a meeting between the two leaders would happen soon. Merz’s comments mark one of the strongest public European expressions of doubt on Trump’s peace push. The remarks follow a deadly Russian attack on Kyiv that killed at least 12 and targeted EU and UK buildings. Macron condemned the assault, calling it “terror” and “barbarism.” European leaders are skeptical that U.S.-led efforts to broker peace with Russia will succeed. Merz and Macron aim to show unity on Ukraine while navigating disagreements over trade, defense, and energy.
Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT