German chancellor-hopeful Merz to meet Vance in Munich

U.S. VP JD Vance attends a bilateral meeting at the U.S. Ambassador's residence, in Paris
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President JD Vance attends a bilateral meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador in Paris, France, February 11, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo
Source: REUTERS

German opposition leader and chancellor-hopeful Friedrich Merz is scheduled to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance for bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, a party spokesperson said on Wednesday.

In addition to Vance, Merz will also hold bilateral talks with high-level officials including China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, hold parliamentary elections on February 23.

The Merz-led conservative bloc is leading in the polls with surveys suggesting it could secure twice as many votes as Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats.

Merz has affirmed his commitment to supporting Ukraine, a stance Germany has maintained since Russia's attack on the country nearly three years ago.

World political and military leaders will convene in Munich from Friday to Sunday, hoping to gain a clearer understanding of the Trump administration's strategy regarding the war in Ukraine.

Politico was the first to report the planned meeting between Merz and Vance.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

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