**US Deliberately Escalated Tensions During Zelensky’s White House Visit, Merz Says**
The US deliberately caused tension during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky‘s visit to the White House, according to Friedrich Merz, the head of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and likely future chancellor. Merz made this claim on March 3 at a press conference in Hamburg.
Zelensky had visited the US to sign an agreement on jointly developing Ukraine’s mineral resources with the US. However, the meeting between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump turned into a heated exchange, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance berating the Ukrainian leader. The agreement was not signed, and Zelensky left the White House early.
**Merz Speaks Out**
Merz expressed surprise at the tone of the dialogue during the meeting. He said that this incident fit a pattern in recent US behavior, including the appearance of an American delegation at the Munich Security Conference, where Vance made a speech attacking European values and calling for cooperation with far-right parties.
According to Merz, these events serve as a wake-up call for Europe’s security policy. He emphasized the need for Europe to prepare for its own security in the coming years and decades.
**Merz’s Criticism of US**
Friedrich Merz has been a vocal critic of the outgoing government’s Ukraine policy and has condemned Trump’s shifting stance on the war. On February 21, he called Trump’s statements about Ukraine “shocking” and aligning with Russian narratives.
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