Ukraine war briefing: Merz tells Trump Ukraine must not give up more territory

German Chancellor Merz discussed Ukraine with Donald Trump during his US visit, emphasizing the need for continued support and territorial integrity, and urging pressure on Russia. Trump assured Merz that ending the war remains a high priority, believing the US has sufficient munitions. A suspected Russian oil tanker was seized by Belgium, facing a €10 million bond due to infractions, including operating under a false flag. Inspectors found multiple technical defects, leading to the ship's impoundment with its crew remaining on board. The US deployed a new, low-cost combat drone based on the Iranian Shahed design, accelerating weapons program development. This drone deployment came quickly after the Pentagon unveiling, reflecting lessons learned from the Ukraine war. The European Commission president and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy discussed the Druzhba pipeline issue, which has stalled the approval of a significant EU loan. The leaders also addressed sanctions on Russia and the impact of Middle East events on energy and defense materials. Merz stated that any peace agreement must be supported by Europe. Russia has previously viewed these seizures as acts of piracy. The Druzhba pipeline discussion highlighted ongoing challenges in European support for Ukraine.