Part 4/12:
Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, articulated European red lines during the summit. He emphasized that no rewards should be extended to Russia before a genuine ceasefire is in place. Leaders also agreed that if Putin's commitment to peace remains doubtful, maximum pressure—potentially through additional U.S. sanctions—should be applied. However, questions linger about whether all involved parties are truly aligned, given the divergent political stances and Trump's unpredictable diplomatic stance.