German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that diplomatic means to end the war in Ukraine had been exhausted, and pledged to continue supporting Kiev's fight against Russian aggression, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
Merz also said he was optimistic that the EU would be able to conclude a trade deal with the US by the end of this month at the latest.
“Our goal is to conclude a trade agreement with the US as quickly as possible and that it links mutual trade between America and the EU with the lowest possible customs duties“, he said, adding that he was in close contact with US President Donald Trump and the European Commission.
Meanwhile, Merz is expected to make his first visit to China later this year with a delegation of senior business executives, a source familiar with the matter said.
The visit by the head of Europe's largest economy and one of China's biggest trading partners will be significant for relations between the two countries amid tensions with the United States over trade tariffs, Reuters notes.
Chinese companies are hoping to increase their investments in Germany and Merz's visit could be used to ease tensions between Berlin and Beijing.
The visit, which could take place as early as October, has not yet been finally planned and details are still possible to change.